§ 54. Sir P. Agnewasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the recent armed incursion into the British protected territory of the Aden Federation of Republican Yemen forces in rebellion against the Imam's Government, he will store diplomatic contact with the Imam's Government.
§ Mr. SmithersThe Yemeni Legation in London represents the Imam's Government and is available for diplomatic contacts.
§ Sir P. AgnewWould it not be wise, in view of the fact that Republican rebels are invading British-protected territory, to have closer contact on the spot by having a diplomatic representative with the Imam's Government, which Her Majesty's Government recognise?
§ Mr. SmithersNo. Her Majesty's Government do not think so. The Yemeni Legation in London already provides an adequate channel for communications.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWould my hon. Friend consider the precedent of the Spanish war, in which His Majesty's Government had a representative with both sides?
§ Mr. SmithersI think the situation in the Yemen is somewhat different.
§ 55. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Lord Privy seal whether he will consider asking the United Nations to send a police corps to the frontier between Aden and the Yemen in view of the difficulty of ascertaining whether assistance is being given to the troops of the Imam by the Sultan of Beihan.
§ Mr. SmithersNo, Sir.
§ Mr. DugdaleCan the hon. Gentleman say what he proposes to do about a situation where there is a large frontier exceedingly difficult to police and where the Government have no police at all to see that arms are not sent into that area? In view of the fact that we are responsible for the defence of this territory, can he at least see that this territory is not guilty of aggression, which it will be if it is sending arms across to the Imam at the moment?
§ Mr. SmithersThere is no evidence of the allegation the right hon. Gentleman makes. So far as the question of the policing and control of the frontier is concerned, the Government think our own people on the spot probably have a better knowledge of the locality than anybody else.
§ Mr. DugdaleHow is it that the hon. Gentleman knows there is no evidence, considering he does not have an adequate number of people there to seal that frontier, which is a very difficult frontier to supervise? I have been there myself and I know.
§ Mr. SmithersIf there is no evidence I take it there is no evidence.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerDoes the Joint Under-Secretary of State mean by that that he knows nothing about what is happening?
§ Mr. SmithersNo. I mean that I am unaware of any evidence that these events are taking place.
§ Mr. DugdaleIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest possible moment.