HL Deb 04 July 1963 vol 251 cc1001-3

2.48 p.m.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF HOME)

My Lords, I think that the House would like to hear of the latest position of the prisoners in the Yemen. I am glad to be able to confirm to the House that the sixteen British servicemen who have been held prisoner in the Yemen have arrived safely in Aden. I believe that they are all well.

The terms of the agreement under which they were released have been negotiated by Mr. Cortada, the United States Chargé d' Affaires in Taiz, on our behalf. We authorised him to tell the Yemen authorities that we regretted the accidental crossing of the frontier, and that all possible steps would be taken by the British military authorities concerned to see that there would be no repetition of such an incident. As to the payment of compensation for casualties incurred by the Yemenis in the skirmish, as well as for damage to property, we left Mr. Cortada discretion within the limit of a few thousand pounds. I do not know the exact details yet, but the sum of £150,000 mentioned in the Press to-day is, of course, ridiculous. It is probable that it will be in the region of 150,000 shillings local currency, which is equivalent to £7,500. It might be less.

I have already sent a telegram to Mr. Rusk, expressing the thanks of Her Majesty's Government for the devoted work which Mr. Cortada and other members of the United States Foreign Service have put in during this unfortunate affair; without their skill and patience we could not have got the men back so soon.

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, we are obliged to the Foreign Secretary for the statement, and I should like to say at once that we admire the persistence with which, from the time the matter was first raised in the House, he has pursued it. I should also like heartily to associate the Opposition with the tribute paid to the American representative, Mr. Cortada, and to the United States for making these representations. We are all still concerned about the incident, and I was wondering whether the Foreign Secretary could give us any idea as to the date on which we shall receive the report of the inquiry which the Government ordered.

LORD REA

My Lords, I should like to join in thanking the Foreign Secretary. It seems to me that this is rather a storm in a teacup—an unfortunate storm in a very sensitive teacup. We are, indeed, grateful for the help given to us by the Americans, and I would endorse what the noble Earl has said.

THE EARL OF HOME

My Lords, I am obliged. A storm in a teacup can be very dangerous sometimes and take much wider forms, and I am glad that this incident is over. So far as the report on the incident itself goes, about which the noble Earl the Leader of the Opposition asked, I shall be in touch with my right honourable friend the Minister of Defence and perhaps will be able to tell the House later on what date we expect to get it. I hope it will be soon.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether the report will deal with the question how this body came to be so far out of their way, and what has happened to the instruction in map reading in the Aden Base for the various people employed in that base?

THE EARL OF HOME

My Lords, I do not know what else the report could contain. I should have thought that was bound to be the information in it.