§ 70. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what communications he has received from the Governor of Aden regarding constitutional changes in the Protectorate; and whether he will make a statement.
73W
§ Mr. HareThe hon. Member is no doubt alluding to the conversations which the Governor of Aden has recently had with the Protectorate Rulers about their future. No immediate constitutional changes are proposed. I am circulating below copies of the statement issued by the Governor after his meeting with the Rulers and of the statement which was subsequently made spontaneously by the Rulers.
The following is the Governor's statement:
The Governor has recently held conversation with the Rulers of the Aden Protectorate with the object of discussing with them the long term future of the states of the Protectorate. It is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in the Protectorate as elsewhere to guide and assist all dependent territories towards the maximum political and economic development which the circumstances of each may warrant. Her Majesty's Government sympathise with the view that individually the states of the Aden Protectorate are too small in area, population and resources to be able to become economically and politically fully developed and that therefore they should seek some form of closer association with each other for mutual assistance and support and in order to strengthen their internal economy and social organisation.The Rulers and peoples of these states are entirely free to negotiate among themselves, with such advice of Her Majesty's Government as they may require, such form of closer association as may suit them best, and which in due course will enable them to benefit by the declared policy of Her Majesty's Government. They shall further have complete freedom among themselves to choose or reject any proposal that may be made for the attainment of the objective of closer association. Her Majesty's Government will afford to any consequent combination of states assistance and protection similar to that which they now afford and will continue to afford to the individual states of the Protectorate.Following is the statement by the Rulers:
We the Rulers of the Sultanates and Amirates of South Arabia who are gathered in Aden, appreciate the fine spirit of Her Majesty's Government which prompted the announcement of 31st March, 1956, regarding Her Majesty's Government's policy towards cur countries and their future.We believe that the development and progress of our countries in the future depend on close association and co-operation between them. We believe from the statement of Her Majesty's Government that their policy in our countries is to help to develop them to the maximum degree both politically and economically. Further that the Rulers of these states and the people have complete freedom to negotiate among themselves the appropriate form which this association and co-operation should take, and that they have 74W complete freedom to choose or reject suggestions which may be put to them. All this has made a profound impression on us and the enunciation of these principles will increase our confidence in and will strengthen the friendship between us and Her Majesty's Government. We, the Chiefs of the Sultanates and Amirates, feel that the discussions which will take place to consider co-operation and association with a view to reaching a more acceptable organisation of our countries should be in accordance with the public spirit which is crystallised and developed in the aims and objects of Arab nationalism.We pray God that he will guide us for the best and direct our steps to the attainment of our desires.