HC Deb 23 October 1967 vol 751 cc1346-9
51. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest position in Aden.

65. Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the present position in Aden.

66. Mr. Sandys

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement about the situation in South Arabia.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Goronwy Roberts)

The High Commissioner, Sir Humphrey Trevelyan, has returned to London for consultations about arrangements for independence.

Discussions are taking place in Cairo between representatives of the National Liberation Front (N.L.F.) and the Front for the Liberation of the Occupied South Yemen (F.L.O.S.Y.) with a view to the formation of a caretaker Government for South Arabia. Regrettably there have recently been some terrorist incidents in Aden, but otherwise the situation there and in South Arabia as a whole is relatively quiet and the interfactional truce is being largely observed.

Mr. Wall

Is it not a fact that the Government have now reduced Aden to a state of chaos? Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the £50 million promised to the Federal Government will be transferred to the people who claim to rule and who have been shooting our soldiers and civilians? What are the Government prepared to do about known friends of Britain, such as Sheikh Mohammed Farid and Fadhli Al-Abdali, members of the Federal Government, who were betrayed by the British Government?

Mr. Roberts

The hon. Gentleman has raised a number of extremely important questions, most, if not all, of which will have to be looked at again in the light of the developing situation. I should prefer to avoid detailed comments today until things are a little clearer. Matters are progressing and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is most anxious to come down to the House to make a full statement and to keep the House fully informed of the position in South Arabia and Aden.

Mr. Winnick

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is great concern in Britain that the continued blood-letting in Aden seems to go on all the time? In view of this, would it not be best for British troops to leave Aden now before January so that the whole dispute can be resolved by the Arabs themselves and that British troops should be out of the scene completely?

Mr. Roberts

That is certainly a point which must be looked at and considered carefully. As I have previously said, the position is developing and I do not think that I would help the House today if I were to engage in any detailed comments. I repeat that my right hon. Friend is most anxious to give the House the fullest possible information as soon as possible.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

Will the hon. Gentleman make sure that his right hon. Friend makes the statement before the debate on the Address in reply to the Queen's Speech? When he makes it, will he tell us whether there is any alteration in the date for leaving Aden?

Mr. Roberts

I shall certainly convey to my right hon. Friend what the right hon. Gentleman has said.

Mr. Maxwell

Would my hon. Friend agree that all this trouble in Aden would never have arisen had it not been for the idiotic Federation scheme of the right hon. Member for Streatham (Mr. Sandys)? Would he further agree that in the circumstances the best thing for us to do is to get out as soon as possible?

Mr. Roberts

All those points will be considered in the light of today's discussion. I regret that, as of now, it is not possible for me to engage in any detailed discussion.

Sir L. Heald

As the Minister of State has mentioned recent incidents in Aden, may I ask whether he will give the House some information about the death of Mr. Rose, a member of the Foreign Service, who was shot in Aden on Friday? May I, on behalf of the parents of Mr. Rose, ask whether the hon. Gentleman is aware, first, that they are grate- ful to the Foreign Office for the kindness and courtesy which it has shown in connection with this sad matter, that they fully appreciate that he was on duty and bound to be in danger, but that they would wish, on behalf of other parents and families who may be affected in the same way, to be assured that steps are being taken to ensure so far as possible that those on Her Majesty's service who are not actually engaged in military operations should be given the maximum protection?

Mr. Roberts

I am grateful to the right hon. and learned Gentleman for what he has said about the late Derek Rose. I think that the whole House would want to join him and myself in deploring this vile act and in extending to the family of Mr. Rose our profoundest sympathy.

In regard to continued security and safety, as the right hon. and learned Gentleman has said, every possible step is being taken in the conditions obtaining in this troubled area to ensure the maximum safety and security of other British nationals, and, indeed, of the population generally.

Mr. Sandys

Now that the Government's policy of weakness and vacillation—[HON. MEMBERS: "Rubbish."]—has, as was inevitable, led to the triumph of terrorism, is it not humbug—[Interruption.]

Mr. Maxwell

The right hon. Gentleman cannot wash his hands of it.

Mr. Sandys

—for the Minister to talk about handing over power to a caretaker Government when all he is doing is capitulating to gangsters?

Mr. Roberts

The right hon. Gentleman should not lightly use the word "humbug". He is very facile today with solutions for the problems which he created.

Mr. James Davidson

Will the Minister inform us whether there is any truth in the newspaper assertion that Sir Humphrey Trevelyan advised immediate withdrawal from Aden? Will he also say at the same time when we may expect a full statement from the Foreign Secretary?

Mr. Roberts

Sir Humphrey is in London for consultations. The visit was arranged before the present upsurge of incidents in Aden. No doubt the timing of withdrawal will be discussed. These are matters for very careful consideration and, as I have said, a statement will be made. My right hon. Friend will come to the House and keep it fully informed of the progress of consideration and any decisions made.

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