HC Deb 02 July 1963 vol 680 cc211-2
The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Edward Heath)

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House I should like to make a short statement on the British Service men detained in the Yemen.

Our latest reports are that the 16 men are well housed and in good health. The United States Embassy at Taiz is in contact with them.

The negotiations for the release of the prisoners are being carried on through the good offices of the United States Embassy at Taiz. These negotiations are in a delicate stage and I should prefer not to go into details about them at this particular moment. I should, however, like to pay tribute to the members of the United States Foreign Service, both at Taiz and at Aden, who have been tireless in working for the release of the prisoners.

Mr. Gordon Walker

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is increasing impatience in the country and in the House that these men should be released? As the whole thing arises out of an error that we made, and which we know has been admitted was a mistake which we regret, may I ask whether it has been conveyed to the Yemeni Government that this was a mistake which we regret and that we will, naturally, take steps—which there is no doubt have already been taken—to ensure that it will not happen again? On the basis of this, could not they forthwith release these men?

Mr. Heath

I assure the right hon. Gentleman that everything is being done with the greatest possible expedition in these circumstances to achieve the release of these men as soon as possible. It has, of course, been stated that this was a mistake. It occurred through an error, but I would prefer not to go into the details of the negotiations at this moment, for the reasons which I have already stated.

Mr. Wall

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any charges are being made by the Yemeni Government against our people?

Mr. Heath

Not to my knowledge.

Mr. W. Yates

Will my right hon. Friend say, first, whether there is any foundation for suggestions that these men are to be put on charges of espionage? Secondly, will he tell the House whether, in accordance with normal practice, Her Majesty's Government have referred to the United States Government and expressed a regret that these men crossed the border through an error, so that the matter should be settled and they should be released?

Mr. Heath

I have no knowledge that there is any suggestion that these men may be placed on charges.

As regards communication between ourselves, the United States and the Republican Government of the Yemen as far as the negotiations are concerned, I prefer not to go into details.

Mr. Snow

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in addition to the request for services to the United States Government, any approach of any kind has been made to the Egyptian Government?

Mr. Heath

Yes, Sir. We have approached the Egyptian Government in Cairo and we were assured that they would use their good offices.