§ 2.48 p.m.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Governor of Aden has sent troops to occupy Lahej, what events led to the flight of its ruler Sultan Fadhl Abdul Karim, and what is the present state of affairs in this town and district.]
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (VISCOUNT SWINTON)My Lords, although the Governor of 398 Aden has visited Lahej and has done his utmost to help the Sultan, reports of progressive deterioration in the affairs of the State continued to reach Aden. This was brought to a head by a report on April 14 that the Sultan had authorised the killing without trial of two Amirs. In reply to an inquiry, the Sultan virtually admitted that the Amirs, who were distant cousins of his, had been killed by his orders, claiming proof of their conspiracy against his life. There have been other incidents, though not so serious as the present, which have caused anxiety. In the opinion of the Governor and others the recent conduct of the Sultan gives ground for believing that he is mentally deranged. The Governor therefore felt that he ought to take quick and determined action. Accordingly, with the approval of my right honourable friend, he informed the Sultan on April 20 that he, the Sultan, should come to Aden for medical treatment and that an independent inquiry should be held by the Judge of the Colony. When on the following day the Sultan fled to the Yemen, the town of Lahej was occupied, by the Governor's orders, by the Aden Protectorate Levies, without any incident. The political officer with the Levies took steps to ensure that the administration was continued and that law and order were maintained pending the election of a Council of Regency by the traditional electoral body of the Sultanate. The Governor has since reported that it is hoped that the Aden Protectorate Levies will be withdrawn either to-day or to-morrow. The inquiry by the Colony Judge was held on April 25, and the Judge's Report is awaited.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, while thanking the noble Viscount for his reply, may I say that the action of the Governor of Aden seems to have been prompt and efficient, so far as one can judge. But the reply does disclose a very serious state of affairs in this Protectorate for which Her Majesty's Government are responsible. Therefore, I should like to ask Her Majesty's Government some questions, which they may be able to answer, in spite of the fact that the Judge's report has not yet been received. In the first place, can they tell us where the Sultan is or is believed to be? Secondly, can they tell us whether the families of the men alleged to have been murdered are being looked after? Further, can Her Majesty's Government tell us 399 whether action will be taken against the Sultan in any form and what the administration of the territory will be when the troops withdraw? Finally, what is the situation in the palace of the Sultan? His wives, as I understand, are numerous. I believe that his marriage to so many wives was one of the causes which impelled the Governor to take action in this case. Can Her Majesty's Government tell us whether the wives are being looked after as well?
§ VISCOUNT SWINTONMy Lords, the noble Lord has certainly produced a covey of questions without notice. I am not sure that I can carry them all in my head or answer them all at this moment, but I will try to deal with a number of them. The noble Lord's first question was: Where is the Sultan? I believe he is in the Yemen, which is in Southern Arabia. At any rate, he crossed the border. The question of what is going to be done with him is really a hypothetical question, because if he is in the Yemen he is not available to be dealt with. If he returns to his own territory, I have no doubt that he will be medically examined. I am not generally in favour of psychiatrists, but there seems to be every ground for one being called in to deal with this case. With regard to the Sultan's numerous wives, I am afraid I really cannot answer the noble Lord's question. So far as I know, they are still in the palace. As to the relatives of the murdered men, so far as I know they are perfectly safe, now that the Sultan has disappeared and order is restored in the territory. I quite agree, and so does my right honourable friend, with what the noble Lord has said in commendation of the Governor's action. The Governor acted with the most admirable promptitude, and the action he took was greatly appreciated. This, as I understand it, is not a case of two rival factions; it is a case of a man who appears to have gone mad—as near as makes no difference—and practically to have run amok.
So far as the future is concerned, a Council of Regency is in process of being established—probably it has been established by now—and I imagine that this is just the sort of case in which it will be able to function efficiently. Cases of a somewhat similar nature have happened before—there has not, I think, 400 been one of a man going mad, but there have been cases where a Sultan has not been a suitable ruler—and there is traditionally in these Sultanates the possibility of appointing a more suitable person from the ruling house. That was done successfully, once, I think, during the time when I was Secretary of State and once in the time of the late Government. I imagine that in due course that will follow. At any rate, in the meantime, the troops will be withdrawn and the territory will be administered by a Council of Regency, which I have no doubt will function admirably.
§ EARL JOWITTWould it not be desirable to send out a reliable official from the Department concerned, or perhaps some representative from this House, to see that these wives are suitably and properly treated?
§ VISCOUNT SWINTONNo doubt if the noble Earl volunteers for this service his name will be favourably considered. I will pass his suggestion on to my right honourable friend.