HC Deb 11 March 1968 vol 760 cc976-7
58. Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what negotiations have been undertaken between Her Majesty's Government and Aden for the purposes of arranging a loan, grant or other form of aid following the withdrawal of British forces; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Dodds-Parker) on 26th February.—[Vol. 759, c. 232.

Mr. Leadbitter

Again, is my hon. Friend aware that what he has said is certainly not a reply, and that the same comment applies to my previous Question? The cost to this country of this loan Should be measured against our economic conditions and, again, the Government would be very wise indeed to remember that hostilities out there are not of the kind that should encourage the Government to think in terms of £60 million or even of a smaller amount?

Mr. Roberts

On reflection, my hon. Friend will probably agree with me that already a good deal of information has been given on this question. As to the £60 million facility which had been provisionally agreed with the Federal Government, I am bound to say that a completely new set of circumstances has since arisen in South Arabia, and that arrangement no longer applies.

Mr. Wood

Will the hon. Gentleman say when talks will begin in which Her Majesty's Government will be able to make clear their future intentions towards Aden?

Mr. Roberts

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, the present tide-over arrangement extends until 31st May. There is therefore time to consider if and when these discussions should take place. At the moment I cannot give a date.

Mr. J. T. Price

While I am not primarily concerned with diplomatic niceties which may give rise to consideration of the loans, may I ask whether my hon. Friend is aware that a number of us in this House will continue to look with a critical eye upon the granting of loans to people who are not our friends and that so long as this country is in the red we should all be critical about dispensing money which we have not got to people who may never pay it back?

Mr. Roberts

There will be considerable agreement with what my hon. Friend has said, but I am sure that hon. Members on both sides of the House will agree that we have to take into account other considerations, including long-term British interests.