Situation (Hansard, 6 June 1956)

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd

As regards the labour situation in Aden, copies of the Report of the recent Commission of Inquiry have now been placed in the Library. The Governor of Aden has informed me that he accepts the Commission's recommendations without reservation to the extent that they affect the Aden Government and has arranged for action to be taken accordingly. All the workers concerned in the recent strikes had returned to work by 30th April, and there have been no further strikes since that date.

With regard to political developments in Aden, during his recent visit to Aden my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State made, with the approval of Her Majesty's Government, a statement to the Aden Legislative Council about the political future of the Colony 66W of Aden. This very important statement indicates the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding future political development in the Colony, and I am circulating a copy of it below.

With regard to the Aden Protectorate, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave on 18th April to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) and on 1st May to the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison), since when there has as yet been no further development. Following is the statement: There has been much speculation recently about the political future of the Colony of Aden, Such speculation, if unrelated to practical possibilities, is harmful to the commercial interests of the Colony upon which the prosperity and, indeed, the whole livelihood of the people depends: if carried to undue lengths, it can easily divert into unfruitful channels energies which might be better exerted in the pursuit of realisable aspirations. Her Majesty's Government consider, therefore, that the time has come when their political intentions in respect of the Colony should be clearly stated and my visit to the Colony has seemed to them a suitable opportunity for this purpose. I have had discussions with various representative bodies on matters affecting further constitutional development. I have listened to their views with interest and sympathy. Last January there was a most important political development when elected members of this Council took their seat for the first time. Her Majesty's Government sincerely welcome this advance, but it needs to be fully tested before further advance can be considered. Certainly there could be no question of any further radical change in the constitution during the life of the present Council. The degree of constitutional development and the pace at which it can be realised must depend on the sense of responsibility which is displayed by the people of the Colony and their leaders. There is no reason why you cannot expect to achieve further constitutional development in due course. Many of you have a perfectly legitimate desire to take a greater part in the affairs of Government and there is no reason why this desire should not be realised. But I should like you to understand that for the foreseeable future it would not be reasonable or sensible, or indeed in the interests of the Colony's inhabitants, for them to aspire to any aim beyond that of a considerable degree of internal self-government. Therefore whilst I have indicated the type of constitutional advance to which the people in this Colony may legitimately aspire, Her Majesty's Government wish to make it clear that the importance of Aden both strategically and economically within the Commonwealth is such that they cannot foresee the possibility of any fundamental relaxation of their responsibilities for the Colony. I feel confident that this assurance will be welcome to you and to the vast majority of the inhabitants of the Colony.

67W