HC Deb 01 April 1965 vol 709 cc1833-5
14. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to negotiate a political solution to the conflict in South Arabia.

19. Mr. J. Amery

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement, following his talks, on the situation in Aden and the South Arabian Federation.

Mr. Greenwood

I appreciate that this is a problem which calls for a political solution and in the course of an intensive and most useful review of the situation, I have discussed with the High Commissioner proposals designed to further political and constitutional progress in the area and to promote co-operation between the Governments of the territory and the political parties. I hope to be in a position to make a further statement before long.

Mr. Shinwell

When my right hon. Friend is making his statement will he tell us what all this adventure is about? Is it intended to protect British interests? What are the British interests? Or is it in the interests of law and order, or for what reason? Is he aware that we are spending a lot of money there, and losing forces, in my opinion, unnecessarily, and will he take the initiative and bring this affair to an end?

Mr. Greenwood

We have certain treaty obligations to the people of these areas, and I do not think that it would add to their confidence if it were to seem that we were resiling from those obligations.

Mr. Sandys

In the meantime, will the right hon. Gentleman continue to give the Federal Government full support in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility for internal security in a very difficult situation?

Mr. Greenwood

We shall do everything we can to give to the duly constituted authorities in the South Arabian Federation the support required in what, as the right hon. Gentleman says, is a very difficult and trying situation indeed.

Mr. Amery

While we are awaiting the right hon. Gentleman's further statement, may I ask whether he is aware that we on this side would be very strongly opposed to any steps that appeared to placate our opponents, whether inside the territory or outside it, at the expense of our proven friends in the Federal Government?

Mr. Greenwood

I have already made it clear that I think that it would be quite wrong for us to appear to be resiling from the obligations under the treaties into which we have entered, and I think that it would be wiser if I were to leave it at that at this stage.

Mr. Shinwell

Does not my right hon. Friend understand that he must not succumb to the blandishments of members of the party opposite? It is not a question of placating opponents, but of taking a suitable initiative in order to bring the adventure to a speedy end.

Mr. Greenwood

I propose to resist all blandishments, from whatever quarter they come. I made it perfectly clear that I have already discussed certain initiatives with the High Commissioner, and I think that it would be injudicious for me to go further than that on this occasion.