§ 14. Mr. Jacksonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the further constitutional progress he expects in Aden in the near future.
§ Mr. GreenwoodAs I announced on 11th May in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Cleveland (Mr. Tinn), I have decided to appoint a Constitutional Commission for South Arabia. I hope that the recommendations of this Commission, when received, will suggest what is the most appropriate and most generally acceptable course of future constitutional development for the area, so that we can make progress towards the establishing of an independent Arab State in South Arabia not later than 1968.
§ Mr. JacksonCould my right hon. Friend give an assurance that in the meantime we might have some interim constitutional advance, particularly in Aden?
§ Mr. GreenwoodI would not rule out interim advances in various parts of the territory, but the important thing really is to concentrate as far as possible upon the more wide-ranging and more long-term constitutional changes that are required.
§ Mr. J. AmeryIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the more we have looked at his proposal the less we like it? Is he aware that we regard this as an abdication of the Government's responsibility to reach a settlement by direct negotiation with the Federal Government after, of course, taking into account the views of the Government of Aden and of other interested parties?
§ Mr. GreenwoodI hoped that I had answered that on Monday, when the same question was put by the right hon. Member for Streatham (Mr. Sandys). It is a problem with very special complications and far from this being an abdication of responsibility it is an attempt on our part to assert our responsibility after taking into consideration the advice of those best qualified to advise us on an issue of this kind.
§ Sir F. BennettCan the right hon. Gentleman confirm whether or not the future of the base is to be excluded from consideration by the Commission? What response has he had from the United Nations to his suggestion that it should be associated with the Commission?
§ Mr. GreenwoodI dealt with both those questions in my reply on Monday.
§ Mr. SandysIs it not becoming clear to the right hon. Gentleman that no one really wants this Commission of his? Would he not be well advised to pursue agreement by direct discussion with the parties concerned?
§ Mr. GreenwoodNo, it is far from clear to me that there is such a state of affairs. I believe that the Commission will be welcomed by important sections of opinion in South Arabia, and I intend to pursue this policy patiently and with understanding of all the difficulties facing the people of South Arabia as well as Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. SandysWho have welcomed this suggestion so far? [HON. MEMBERS: "We have."]
§ Mr. GreenwoodThe Federal Ministers.