§ 2.41 p.m.
THE EARL OF HADDINGTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any statement to make on the recent visit of the Governor of Aden to the Yemen.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF PERTH)My Lords, the Governor's visit to the Yemen was a private one made on the invitation of Mr. Pirie-Gordon, the British Chargé d'Affaires at Taiz, with the knowledge and approval of His Majesty the Imam. The Governor was accompanied by Lady Luce. During their stay in the Yemen, which lasted from November 20 to 26, the Governor and Lady Luce were shown every courtesy by the Yemeni Government. The Governor was entertained by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and met leading Yemeni Government notables and officials. On his arrival at Taiz, and on his departure, he exchanged telegrams of thanks and friendly greetings with His Majesty the Imam. Although this visit was private, Her Majesty's Government naturally hope that it will have brought benefit to Anglo-Yemeni relations.
THE EARL OF HADDINGTONMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his reply, which I am sure will give satisfaction to the whole House. Perhaps your Lordships will permit me to add that I put this Question down merely for information, because I feel that our relations with the Yemen must affect very closely the problems which are to be debated by your Lordships this afternoon.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl this question? He probably remembers that there was a Commission spoken of to define the frontier between Western Aden protectorates and the Yemen. Has that Commission met, and is an agreed frontier in existence? There was a reference to a de facto frontier, but I am concerned with an agreed frontier. That is the first 6 point. The second point is: are we in diplomatic relations with the Yemen?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, first of all I would thank the noble Earl, Lord Haddington, for what he said about the purpose of his Question. I understand very well that it is useful for the coming debate this afternoon. On the question of the frontiers, I well remember the proposed meeting. I think that some meetings took place but were inconclusive. I do not think there is at this moment any agreed frontier in certain places, but rather a de facto one. I am not saying that we are not clear where the frontier is, though it is still in dispute. On the second question, so far as I know the answer is, Yes: there are diplomatic relations, diplomatic contacts.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his reply, but I think he will agree that in so far as there is not an agreed frontier there is always a danger of conflict.
§ THE EARL OF PERTHCertainly. There are various questions outstanding which we need to clear up with the Yemen, and we can only hope that this visit, which was an informal and private one, will lead to that result.