§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, I beg leave 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 what arrangements have been made to guarantee the Independence of the Federation of South Arabia after the redeployment of the British Forces from Aden.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN OFFICE (LORD WALSTON)My Lords, it is our hope that when it becomes independent South Arabia will be admitted to membership of the United Nations and will thus secure the protection against aggression afforded by the Charter. In the meantime, Her Majesty's Government have agreed to give the Government of the Federation of South Arabia substantial amounts of additional financial aid to strengthen their armed forces in readiness for independence. Provided there is no change in political conditions in South Arabia which might make its continuation inappropriate, this financial aid will be maintained for three years beyond the date of independence.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, I should like to thank my noble friend for that reply, but also I should like to add that both hope and financial aid are rather inadequate to meet the urgent needs of the hour. While I am convinced that Her Majesty's Government are absolutely right in their decision to withdraw from Men and that the date of their withdrawal is irrevocable, is not the manner of our withdrawal open to some doubt? Could not Her Majesty's Government urge upon the United Nations to send 198 out now a peace-keeping force, composed at first of progressive Moslem States which are not members of the Arab League, such as Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and Tunisia, in order to protect the northern frontier of the new State of Southern Arabia?
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, we, in conjunction and co-operation with the Federation of South Arabia, have responsibility for the protection of that area. I think that most noble Lords will agree that we are fulfilling that responsibility adequately in spite of the problems which arise there from time to time. I do not think it would be appropriate at this stage to hand over that responsibility to the United Nations, though as I said in my original reply we hope that when independance does come to Southern Arabia the United Nations will be in a position to protect it if needed.
§ LORD HARLECHMy Lords, in his original reply the noble Lord, Lord Walston, mentioned that substantial financial aid would be given to Southern Arabia to enable it to build up its armed forces. Could the noble Lord be more precise? It is rather difficult to judge whether these are adequate amounts of money unless we are told how much.
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, the amount is £10¼ million—just over £10 million—per annum for the three years subsequent to independence, with the provisos I have already mentioned, plus a capital sum of £5½ million towards the capital cost of the expansion of the existing forces.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, what is meant by the security against aggression afforded by the Charter? Did Portugal find that very effective when Goa was attacked?
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, Portugal did not find it very effective when Goa was attacked. On the other hand, the Republic of Korea found it of considerable effectiveness when there were disturbances there.
LORD SALTOUNMy Lords, have Her Majesty's Government in mind that one can never limit one's obligation in a situation which is likely to arise, and would Her Majesty's Government be prepared to offer military aid, if necessary, as well as financial aid?
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, it is because we are convinced of the necessity to limit our aid in all areas of the world that we have made this very specific undertaking rather than having an open-ended commitment.
§ LORD HARLECHMy Lords, can the noble Lord, Lord Walston, tell us how £10 million a year compares with the present cost of keeping our troops in Aden?
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, I am afraid that I could not give an accurate answer to that question.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, are the Government aware that the Federation Army may not be sufficiently strong and powerful to withstand the situation which may be created by our withdrawal from Aden? Are they fully aware that, instead of a vacuum, there may well be in Aden an active volcano?
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, we believe that the contribution made by the Federation itself, in addition to the very substantial aid we are giving, and the fact that the United Nations—of which we hope that the Federation will be a member—will be behind the Federation, together will be sufficient to restrain the volcano from becoming too active.