§ Mr. Alisonasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, what talks were held with the Government of the South Arabian Federation before the decision was taken to evacuate Aden in 1968.
§ Mrs. WhiteFederal Ministers raised the question of the future of the Aden base with my noble Friend when they visited London in January. He told them that this was a matter for decision by the British Government in the light of the Defence Review but undertook that they would be informed as soon as the decision was taken and provided with an opportunity for discussing its implications. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and for the Colonies visited Aden in mid-February for this purpose.