Security

HC Deb 11 February 1965 vol 706 cc533-6

7. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the present security position in Aden.

8. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take to eradicate terrorism in Aden.

Mrs. White

The seriousness of the security situation in Aden has been evidenced most recently by the throwing of a grenade into a Services cinema on 29th January and by attempts to assassinate Special Branch officers.

I am satisfied that the security authorities in Aden are doing everything possible to minimise the effects of the cowardly campaign being waged by the so-called National Liberation Front. Forty-eight members or sympathisers of this organisation are at present in detention, and new security measures that have been introduced provide especially for the protection of police officers and of areas used by the Services.

I am sure the House would like it to be known how much it appreciates the way in which the local security forces, especially the Police, are carrying out their difficult task.

Mr. Wall

I echo the hon. Lady's congratulations to the local security forces. Can she say to what degree the National Liberation Front receives financial and other support from outside the territory and to what degree this terrorism is influenced by infiltration from the Yemen?

Mrs. White

There is a Question later on the Order Paper about the first point raised by the hon. Gentleman. He is aware that there is infiltration from the Yemen. One cannot specify exactly how much.

Mr. Fisher

Would the hon. Lady agree that the scale of terrorism in Aden has increased very alarmingly in recent weeks resulting, as she said, in the death of many British and Arab people and the wounding of many more? As these outrages are clearly inspired from the Republic of the Yemen and from Egypt, what representations have Her Majesty's Government made to the Government of Egypt to stop these outrages and with what results?

Mrs. White

I do not think we should exaggerate the extent of the recent difficulties. It is quite true that there has been a number of incidents which we very deeply regret. But I repeat that I do not think we should exaggerate the increase in terrorist activities. We have made representations to the Egyptian Government and pointed out that this kind of behaviour makes it extremely difficult to maintain friendly relations, which we would very much wish to have with them.

Mr. James Johnson

The Aden Legislative Council fears that any detainees sent outside the territory are subject to torture. Can my hon. Friend give an assurance that the 47 detainees inside the city at the moment will be kept for lawful trial inside the territory which we administer?

Mrs. White

I should have notice of the Question. I do not wish to mislead the House in any way. To the best of my belief, the majority are in Aden itself, but I should like further notice before giving the details.

Mr. Rankin

On a point of order. On reflection, Mr. Speaker, I beg to give notice that I wish to raise on the Adjournment the matters in Questions Nos. 4 and 5.

Mr. Speaker

The notice is defective and also out of order. Its validity therefore is nil.

Mr. Rankin

Further to that point of order. I understood from previous Rulings that notices of an Adjournment Motion could be served at any point after the Question had been tendered.

Mr. Speaker

If that impression were ever given to the hon. Member, I hasten to cure it. In any event, the notice can relate only to one Question.

Mr. Fisher

May we return to Question No. 8? With respect to the hon. Lady, is it right that she should seek to play down this matter and ask us not to exaggerate it? After all, British Service men have lost their lives, British children have lost their lives and an Arab police inspector has lost his life in Aden. Many people have been wounded. There have been innumerable incidents in the last few weeks. Should not the hon. Lady take this much more seriously? Is she aware that there is great feeling in Aden and in this country about it?

Mrs. White

I sincerely assure the hon. Member that we are very deeply concerned about what has happened. All I am suggesting is that it would be unwise to give the impression that more has happened than has in fact been the case, and that the terrorists have been more successful than they have been. That would be casting a very strong reflection on the security forces in Aden, which I am sure the hon. Member would not wish. The facts are that there was the deeply tragic incident just before Christmas when a European girl was killed. There was also the equally regrettable incident at Christmas time when an Arab inspector of police was killed. Other persons have been injured, but there have been no other fatal casualties.

Mr. Fisher

What about British Service men?

Mrs. White

I am speaking of the most recent period. Deeply as we regret all these incidents and deeply as we sym- pathise with those concerned and those living and serving in Aden, I do not think that we ought to give the impression that the terrorists have been so successful.

Mr. J. Amery

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Fisher for Question No. 9.