§ 14. Mr. Hamlingaked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been received by his Department about the use of Soviet equipment in air-raids by Egyptian forces in the Yemen using gas against civilians; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. George BrownNone, Sir.
§ Mr. HamlingIs that not surprising in view of the recent exchanges in this House about Vietnam? Are we applying double standards on some of these ventures? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer."]
§ Mr. HamlingYes.
§ Mr. BrownI am asked, what representations have been received by my Department about the use of Soviet equipment in air raids by Egyptian forces in the Yemen using gas against civilians?
§ The answer is, "None, Sir."
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonIs it not the case that gas was used against the Yemeni civil population by Egyptian forces using Soviet aircraft? Was not the almost total indifference of Her Majesty's Government, other Governments, and the United Nations, totally disgraceful? What kind of example was that, because other countries might be encouraged to do the same thing?
§ Mr. BrownThe hon. Gentleman is wrong. We are not indifferent. On the contrary, we took action. We called on other people and sought help everywhere else. In fact no gas has been used since July, we deplored it at the time and we tried to organise action against it. There is no ground whatever for that baseless accusation against us.