HC Deb 28 October 1965 vol 718 cc347-8
Q1. Mr. Newens

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the future of the base at Aden.

The First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. George Brown)

I have been asked to reply.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the outcome of the Defence Review.

Mr. Newens

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, despite what has been said today, many people in this country regard the decision to suspend the Constitution of Aden as mistaken? Are the Government prepared to recognise that in the long run the maintenance of a base in Aden must be subject to the agreement and consent of the democratically elected representatives of the people of Aden?

Mr. Brown

There is a certain amount in what my hon. Friend says. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said again and again, obviously a base cannot be kept in a territory where the local inhabitants are against it. Having said that, I would still ask my hon. Friend to await the outcome of the Review.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this year the Estimates contain the sum of £7 million for land and buildings in Aden? Is not this a shocking waste of money if the Defence Review comes to the conclusion that we should get out of Aden?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Gentleman said "if the Defence Review comes to the conclusion". May I ask him to await the outcome of the Review?

Mr. Heath

Do the Government still adhere to the decisions of the South Arabian Conference of July, 1964, including the fact that there would be independence not later than 1968 and that there should be a defence agreement for the use of the base?

Mr. Brown

I am asked about the base. I am not asked about the wider question. I repeat that a statement about the base will be made when we have the result of the Defence Review.

Mr. Heath

The base was part of the decisions of the South Arabian Conference.

Mr. Brown

I well know that. That anybody knows. I am asked to make a statement on the future of the base. The answer to that remains that it will be made when we have the Defence Review.

Mr. Heath

I must press the First Secretary on this. We are not asking whether this is governed by the result of the Defence Review. I am asking him whether the Government still adhere to the decisions of the 1964 South Arabian Conference. This was an agreement which covered the base. We are asking whether this will be taken account of in the Defence Review. It is a perfectly straightforward question.

Mr. Brown

And it is a perfectly straightforward answer. The right hon. Gentleman can table that Question, if he wishes. If he tables the Question, he will get an Answer to it. The Answer to the present Question is that we ask the House to await the outcome of the Review.