HC Deb 30 November 1964 vol 703 cc33-5
Mr. Fisher

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make about the recent bomb incidents in Aden.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mrs. Eirene White)

There have been at least 11 such incidents during the past six weeks, seven of which have occurred on and since 26th November, when my right hon. Friend left this country for Aden. They have resulted in the deaths of two British Service men and injuries to 34 other people.

Investigations into the responsibility for these incidents are not yet completed. Two men have been detained for questioning in relation to the throwing of two grenades into a cafe on Saturday night. Meanwhile, as a precaution against further acts of violence local bars and cinemas have been placed out of bounds to British Service men, and security patrols have been increased in the areas occupied by them and their families.

Reports from Aden show that the arrival of my right hon. Friend has been welcomed by all the main political parties in Aden.

The House will, I am sure, wish to condemn these outrages and to extend sympathy to those who have suffered injury and to the families of the men who have died.

Mr. Fisher

We on this side would also like to express our sympathy with the relatives of the two British Service men who lost their lives and to those who were wounded.

As this series of bomb incidents appears to have been organised, can the hon. Lady say whether any particular organisation is thought to have been implicated? I have in mind the possibility that the Egyptian-sponsored and Yemen-based organisation which calls itself the National Front for the Occupied Yemen South may have been involved. Have any of the assailants been positively identified? If not, is it thought that there is sufficient evidence to bring those arrested to trial? Lastly, has the hon. Lady any further specific measures in mind, both political and military, to guard against further incidents of this kind?

Mrs. White

We have no positive proof that the so-called National Liberation Front is involved, but we have every reason to suppose so. This opinion is reinforced by the claim of the official news agency in Cairo last night of credit for these outrages. Our Ambassador in Cairo has been instructed to take up this matter with the United Arab Republican Government as a matter of urgency. We do not yet have sufficient evidence to bring anybody to court. My right hon. Friend is having discussions on the political situation at this very moment.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is the hon. Lady aware that, according to the report on the B.B.C. news yesterday, her right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies described this bomb outrage, which he certainly deplored, as unnecessary? Could she explain what was meant by that? If the report was untrue, could we please have a denial, because it seems to be a very unfortunate word to use?

Mrs. White

I believe that the actual words of my right hon. Friend were "brutal" and "useless". In other words, he was pointing out very forcefully that we do not negotiate by bomb.

Mr. Sandys

Having regard to the fact that the Federal Government have constitutional responsibility for internal security, may we be assured that Her Majesty's Government will give the Federal Government all possible support in carrying out their task of maintaining law and order?

Mrs. White

Yes, certainly.