HL Deb 22 April 1986 vol 473 cc1075-6

2.55 p.m.

Viscount Buckmaster

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will define their relations with the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen in the light of the uprising of 13th January.

Baroness Young

My Lords, following the uprising of 13th January, staff of Her Majesty's Embassy in the People's Republic of Yemen were temporarily withdrawn in the international evacuation of 18th January. By the end of last month, we concluded that the situation in Aden had returned to normal and reopened our Embassy on 29th March under a Charge D'Affaires. Her Majesty's Ambassador, Mr. Marshall, is expected to return later this month when some of the damage to our buildings will have been repaired. Our aid programme is being resumed in full. A number of British commercial firms have also resumed their operations in the country.

Viscount Buckmaster

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, the Minister of State, for that helpful reply. Is she aware that many South Yemenis would like to develop closer ties with Great Britain, and that many still admire the legacy of our colonial era as I discovered when I visited the country last summer? Is she further aware that the Yemenis would certainly welcome any further extension of our aid programme, which is still comparatively modest, particularly the provision of English language teachers for the university?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I am glad to hear of the positive views of the noble Viscount about our relations with the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. On the particular point about our aid programme, I am aware of the importance of the two key English language teachers at Aden University. The programme was suspended at the time of the uprising; but the noble Viscount will be glad to know that steps were taken to resume it once our embassy reopened at the end of March.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, may I once again welcome the encouraging statement made by the noble Baroness about this unhappy country? Would she be good enough to say precisely how many British nationals live there now? Also, may one assume that their security is reasonably assured?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I am afraid that I cannot without notice give the noble Lord the answer to his question on British nationals. But now that our Ambassador is returning, our aid programme is being established again and business is starting up we see no reason why British people should not visit the Yemen.

Lord Shackleton

My Lords, can the noble Baroness say whether she has any information about the many exiles from the days of South Arabia, who, if they are still alive, are in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere; and whether in our relations with the new government we should urge for a degree of reconciliation with supporters of the pre-independence regime?

Baroness Young

My Lords, once again, I cannot without notice give precise details about exiles. But what I can say is that the new government have made it clear that although they will maintain the alliance with the Soviet Union they will continue with the policy of the previous Ali Nasser government in fostering better relations with the West and at the same time fostering better relations with the neighbouring Arab countries. I hope that this may well be the kind of positive information that the noble Lord is seeking on this point.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that our net exports to the Yemen, excluding any question of aid to them, have amounted over the past four years to something between £50 million and £75 million per annum? Will she do her very best to ensure that our commercial relationships with the Yemen are maintained, notwithstanding any indications which would perhaps be adverse concerning our recent complicity in the Libyan retaliation?

Baroness Young

Yes, my Lords. We are interested in trade with the Yemen; and, as I indicated in my original Answer, British commercial firms have resumed their operations in the country. On the other point that the noble Lord raised, I can confirm that we have received no indication that the PDRY authorities intend to take steps against the United Kingdom in connection with events in Libya.