5. Mr. Laughlinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the persons now detained in Aden are members of the Aden Trades Union Congress or leading officials of individual trades unions; how many are known to be leading Members of the People's Socialist Party of Aden; and if he will make a statement.
§ 18. Mr. Oramasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of the executive council of the Aden Trades Union Congress are now in detention in Aden.
§ Mr. SandysThe answer is "None".
§ Mr. LoughlinIf the Minister had answered the Question yesterday, the Answer would have been "Some". Is it not a bit slick to answer a Question of this kind in that way, when the latter 191 part of it asks the right hon. Gentleman to make a statement? Is the Minister aware that everyone on both sides of the House, I think, will be glad to know that, at long last, after two months, British subjects are being released from gaol in Aden? Having regard to their release, can it now be assumed that there is no guilt attached to these people and, if so, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to consider some form of compensation to those who have been detained?
§ Mr. SandysI am glad that the hon. Gentleman did at some stage in his long supplementary question express pleasure that these people had been released. At the beginning, I thought that he was disappointed by my Answer—
§ Mr. LoughlinReally.
§ Mr. Sandys—or, at least, disappointed that I had not the opportunity to give him an answer yesterday.
As regards guilt, there has never been any suggestion that detention under emergency regulations involves guilt. As for compensation, it is not usual to pay compensation in these circumstances.
§ Mr. OramCan the Minister say whether, at the murder trial which will arise out of the bomb incident at the airport, any evidence will be submitted that either the Aden T.U.C. or the P.S.P. was in any way collectively involved? If that is not so, is it not clear that the mass arrests have turned out to be a colossal mistake calculated to do damage to trade union organisation in Aden and liable to be detrimental to a rapid and fair solution of Aden's constitutional problems?
§ Mr. SandysI certainly do not endorse the right hon. Gentleman's last allegations. His first question was most extraordinary—to ask me in advance what evidence would be produced at a murder trial. I am sure that, on reflection, he will not expect me to answer that.
§ Mr. G. M. ThomsonDoes not the Secretary of State feel that he was a little less than fair to the House in the form of his Answer? Would it not have been better to tell the House that the detainees referred to in the Ques 192 tion were released yesterday, a fact that we all welcome? Is he now saying that the Government abandon the charges of conspiracy which were made by Ministers in this House? Further, will the right hon. Gentleman use the release of these detainees to try to make a start on a new chapter in Aden and make effective constitutional progress with a new franchise and new elections?
§ Mr. SandysThat is a much wider question. I appeal to you, Mr. Speaker—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—yes, indeed—it was your wish that Ministers should reply with brevity and accuracy, and that is what I did.
§ Mr. ManuelWhat a get-out.