§ 19. Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the President of Egypt regarding the situation in the Yemen as it affects British interests; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George ThomsonWe have made representations to the United Arab Republic authorities on several occasions about ground and air attacks from the Yemen upon South Arabian territory and about subversive activities against the Federation organised from the Yemen.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkWhat estimate has the hon. Gentleman formed of the number of Egyptian troops currently in the Yemen, and what representations has he made about the intentions of the Egyptians regarding Aden and the Gulf?
§ Mr. ThomsonAs far as I am aware, there has been no change in the numbers of Egyptian troops, and, according to published reports, they are between 40,000 and 50,000. On the question of incursions into Federal territory, there have been a number of overflights by Egyptian aircraft, the most recent being of 12th, 13th and 15th April, and there was an air attack on Federal territory on 1st April. I took these matters up very strongly with the U.A.R. Minister in London only last week.
§ Mr. A. RoyleIs the Minister aware that Egyptian troops in the Yemen are using both napalm bombs and poison gas against unarmed tribesmen, and will he protest most strongly to the Egyptian Embassy in London and to the Egyptian Government in Cairo about this side of the matter?
§ Mr. ThomsonThere is another Question on the Order Paper about that.