HC Deb 20 March 1967 vol 743 cc184-5W
62. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a further statement on the situation in Aden.

65. Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to him by the South Arabian Government arising from Her Majesty's Government's policy to withdraw its forces from Aden; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. William Rodgers

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State visited Aden over the weekend and the United Nations Mission arrives in London this evening. Discussions are continuing meanwhile on all aspects of the Aden situation.

68. Mr. Walters

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals he is making for the constitutional future of the four states of the Aden protectorate which have not so far acceded to the Federation of South Arabia.

Mr. George Brown

The policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the un-federated States remains as stated in the reply given by my hon. Friend, the then Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher) on 3rd February, 1966.—[Vol. 723, c. 1265.]

69. Mr. Walters

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British civilians are resident in Aden, excluding those who will be withdrawn after the closure of the base.

Mr. George Brown

The last census in Aden was in 1955, that is to say, before the build-up of the base. The number of Europeans was then 4,400. It is not possible to give an up-to-date figure of the category of civilians described in the Question.

Mr. Sandys

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what undertakings have been given that Abdulla al Asnag and other organisers of terrorism in Aden will not be arrested and brought to trial for their criminal activities if they return to the Federation; and if he will give an assurance that the law will be applied without exemptions to all who commit or instigate murder, whatever may be their motives.

Mr. George Brown

My noble Friend Lord Caradon stated in the Fourth Committee of the United Nations when the appointment of a special mission to South Arabia was being debated last autumn that any South Arabian is free to return to his country at any time and that no one need fear any restriction provided that they respect and obey the law and refrain from giving encouragement to intimidation and violence.

Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the number of incidents involving violence which have taken place in Aden in the years 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1966, respectively, and in the first two months of 1967.

Mr. George Brown

Following are the figures of incidents and casualties.

ADEN STATE
Year Number of Incidents Persons Killed Persons Wounded
1963 4 2 54
1964 36 4 32
1965 279 33 173
1966 480 40 542
1967 (January-February) 256 44 239