§ LORD SORENSENMy 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 a British Diplomatic representative is now stationed in the Yemen; if not, who is responsible for the British Legation building at Taiz; whether any British nationals reside in the Yemen; and what Government of the Yemen Her Majesty's Government it now recognise.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD CHALFONT)My Lords, no British diplomatic representative is now stationed in the Yemen. There is no British Legation building at Taiz. The lease of the building that housed the Legation was given up when de last British diplomat left in February, 1963. So far as we know there are no British nationals residing in the Yemen. Her Majesty's Government continue to recognise the Royalist Government.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, from the last part of my noble friend's reply do I understand that we are recognising the Royalist Government in Yemen? Can my noble friend also say what the position now is between the rival forces in that country?
§ LORD CHALFONTMy Lords, I confirm that we do recognise the Royalist Government in the Yemen. So far as the present situation there is concerned the civil war continues. There does not seem to be any immediate prospect of a settlement. But I should require notice if the noble Lord wants any further details.