HC Deb 17 July 1962 vol 663 cc213-4
23. Mr. R. Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that there will not be any serious industrial unrest in the Colony of Aden as a protest against the agreement signed on 17th May between the Federation of South Arabia and the Colony of Aden; and if he is now in a position to make a statement designed to allay the suspicions regarding this agreement which are widespread among the peoples concerned.

Mr. Sandys

There are rumours that the Aden trade unions will call a strike on 23rd July as a protest against the constitutional proposals on which the Ministers of the Colony and the Federation have provisionally agreed, but which have not yet been published. A full statement will be issued after my discussions with the Aden Ministers beginning next week. Meanwhile, I hope that all concerned with reserve their judgment.

Mr. Edwards

Is the Minister aware that the people of Aden Colony and many thousands in the Protectorate suspect that this secret agreement, which has never even been discussed in the Legislative Council, will halt constitutional reform in the Colony and will link the Colony with the Protectorate, which is undemocratic? Is it not important, therefore, that the secret agreement should no longer be secret and that a statement should be made to allay the legitimate suspicions of democratic people in Aden?

Mr. Sandys

A statement will be made very shortly.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

Is the Minister aware that the statements by his predecessor that what is proposed on 23rd July is an informal conference on a provisional agreement are welcome and should go a long way to allay some of the suspicions? Is he aware, therefore, that we on this side endorse what he has said in asking people to reserve their judgment and not to take hasty action until we know what proposals will come out of the constitutional conference?

Mr. Sandys

I am grateful for support from all quarters.