HC Deb 27 February 1967 vol 742 cc87-9
15. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he will take to assist the defence of the South Arabian Federation.

82. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he will take to assist the defence of the South Arabian Federation.

94. Sir Knox Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the light of the proposed closure of the Aden base, he will state his proposal for the defence of Southern Arabia.

108. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further action he will take to assist in the defence of the South Arabian Federation.

Mr. George Brown

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply on 7th November last to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison).—[Vol. 735, c. 945.]

Mr. Marten

Does not the Foreign Secretary agree that Nasser's aim, which is underwritten by Russia, is to get control of the Aden Federation and then drive us out of the Persian Gulf? If that is his aim, will not the Government in such circumstances reconsider their defence arrangements with Aden and come to some interim agreement until Nasser gets out of the Yemen?

Mr. Brown

On much of that I would not want to comment. As regards the defence of South Arabia and the Federal Territory after we leave, the hon. Gentleman must know that we have made available not only large sums of money but considerable help so that there will be defence forces, which include an air component, which are within our capacity to provide and their capacity to sustain, and to argue for more than that is a nonsense.

Mr. Paget

Would not the best way to defend the South Arabian peninsula be to secure the withdrawal of the aggressive forces of Egypt in the Yemen, and is not that absolutely within our power? Are not their communications utterly at our mercy?

Mr. Brown

If I interpret my hon. and learned Friend's question aright, I think that he is inviting us to embark upon a very dangerous course.

Mr. Sandys

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is reported to have said on Saturday that we cannot clear out of Aden overnight and leave the situation in a mess and that our withdrawal must be phased carefully over a period of two years? Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to place a copy of this important policy statement in the Library so that it may be quoted from during the debate today and tomorrow?

Mr. Brown

I shall ask my right hon. Friend to consider the right hon. Gentleman's request. When he does so, or if he does so, the right hon. Gentleman will be disappointed because he will find that what my right hon. Friend said was not exactly what he thinks he said. [Interruption.] I happen to know. My right hon. Friend was, in fact, referring to withdrawals generally and not to the particular case of Aden. I must say to the right hon. Gentleman, who made a policy decision on this matter when he had responsibility which has had a good deal to contribute to the problems of today, that it hardly lies in his mouth to raise the issue now.

Mr. Hooley

What progress is being made on the introduction of a United Nations presence in this part of the world?

Mr. Brown

I have a Question on that very subject later on.

Mr. Stratton Mills

Is it not clear that the contribution which the Government are making to the training of personnel in the South Arabian Federation Army and, particularly, the Air Force, is hopelessly inadequate and is much too rushed? Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House details of the number of men who are benefiting from this training programme?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. Gentleman will put such a Question down, I shall answer it. Details of the aid we are giving have been given to the House many times. It is very generous. It is interesting to see how often the Opposition, who miss no opportunity to attack what we are alleged to be spending, are pressing us to spend more.

Mr. Maudling

Will the air component to which the right hon. Gentleman referred provide any effective air defence?

Mr. Brown

It will provide sufficient air cover to deter the kind of incident which has happened in the past. If the right hon. Gentleman, who knows the area, will consider what kind of air force this territory would be capable of supporting, even were such an air force capable of overcoming all possibilities of outside attack, he will realise how ridiculous it is to press us to do more.

Mr. Marten

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the replies, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at an early opportunity.

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