§ 7. Mrs. Hartasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to publish the new agreement on the Constitution of Aden.
§ Mr. SandysI would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Members for Bilston (Mr. R. Edwards) and Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 10th July.
§ Mrs. HartWhile thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware that there is a very great and very deep concern among the majority of the people of Aden about the effect of the new constitutional agreement? In view of this, would he at least undertake that before final ratification is made, and before the ending of the present period of tenure of the Legislative Council at the end of the year, he will sent a Parliamentary Commission to inquire into what is the best way of meeting the needs of the people of Aden?
§ Mr. SandysI am not so sure about a Parliamentary Commission. I think that, on the whole, if one wants to know what suits the people of a certain part of the world, it is better, perhaps, to consult the people who live there.
§ Mr. G. M. ThomsonWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, during the discussions this month, that the best way to ensure political peace in Aden is to have constitutional advance and fresh elections there, before there is any question of associating Aden with the territories of the protectorates? Will he give a categorical assurance that the elections which are due, in any case, at the end of this year will not be suspended?
§ Mr. SandysI do not wish anything to be read into my answer. All I would say is that I do not think it would be useful for me to make any statement on this constitutional problem until we have had the talks that are due to take place next week.