§ 39. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the most recent information he has received from the United Nations Organisation, following its mission to that country, about the withdrawal of foreign forces from Yemen, and about Egyptian air bombardment of civilian targets.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Peter Thomas)On 29th April the Secretary-General reported progress to the Security Council; I have arranged for copies of this report to be placed in the Library of the House. He has sent an officer to make arrangements with the countries concerned for the establishment of observer groups to supervise disengagement.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonHas my hon. Friend any idea when the withdrawal of foreign troops from the Yemen is likely to be complete? Has there been any international protest from the United Nations or from individual member States of the United Nations against the cruel and wanton bombardment of the civilian population by Egyptian aircraft?
§ Mr. ThomasRegarding the first part of that supplementary question, T am afraid that I cannot give my hon. Friend any idea as to time. The Secretary General has not yet fixed a date and the observers are not yet in place. On the second part, I do not think that this would help the Secretary-General's efforts at the moment.
§ Sir G. NicholsonI think that my hon. Friend used the word "supervise". Is he aware that that word may be variously interpreted? Did my hon. Friend mean that there is some power in the hands 435 of the observers, or are they merely observers pure and simple with a watching brief?
§ Mr. ThomasThey will be observers on the spot in order to see that disengagement has taken place, and to report.