§ 2.52 p.m.
§ EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, may I ask the Private Notice Question to which the Leader of the House referred last night: whether Her Majesty's Government are now able to make a statement on the present situation in the Aden Protectorate, in the light of the questions and answers in the House yesterday?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)My Lords, the questions were raised in this House yesterday whether those persons detained during the present state of emergency in the Federation of South Arabia are able to obtain legal advice and aid should they wish to do so. I can now give the House an assurance that any of those detained can obtain advice from their legal advisers should they so wish. There is no full legal aid scheme such as we enjoy in this country operating in Aden. There is, however, provision for making available legal aid to anyone accused of a serious offence before the courts who is not in a position to pay legal fees. I might add that there are a number of lawyers among those detained.
Under this present public emergency decree made by the Supreme Council it is specifically stated that anyone detained thereunder may appeal to a tribunal, the chairman of which would be appointed by the Chief Justice, for his case to be reviewed. Copies of the emergency decree under which these 252 detentions have taken place have been sent for from Aden, and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as it is available.
§ EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, it may be rather difficult for some of us to come to the House to refer to it during the Christmas vacation. Perhaps the Minister will have the courtesy to send me a copy as soon as he has it. I hope he thinks now that we were not quite so much out of order, and did not make mistakes in thinking who we were, in putting our questions yesterday. I am obliged by the Answer the noble Duke has given. We shall look upon the rest of the information which comes to us with great interest. I hope very much that the lawyers among the people interned at present without any charge will be able so to act that they will be brought to trial as soon as possible.
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, I will certainly see that a copy of the decree is sent to the noble Earl. I should like to take this opportunity of saying how sorry I am if I appeared in any way discourteous to the noble Earl the Leader of the Opposition, who is infinitely more experienced in the ways of the House than I am. I can only assure him that I intended no discourtesy.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, have the Government of Aden any police arms? If so, who supplied them, and what are they for?
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, I think I shall have the House with me when I say that that is an entirely different question.