§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs what reports he has received from the United Nations Organisation regarding progress being made with the disengagement of Egyptian forces from the Yemen; what is the number of such forces now there; and what proposals he has to secure to the Yemeni people the right of self-determination.
§ Mr. George ThomsonThe United Nations Observation Mission in the Yemen was terminated by the Secretary-General on 4th September, and a copy of his report dated 2nd September on the final two months of the Mission's operation has been placed in the Library of the House. The Secretary-General at no time provided an estimate of the overall 19W number of Egyptian forces in the Yemen, but unofficial estimates have for months past put the figure in the neighbourhood of 40,000 men.
On the last part of the Question, the hon. Member will have seen recent reports of a ceasefire and of a proposed meeting between representatives of both sides in the Yemen. Her Majesty's Government hope that these developments may lead to a permanent settlement in the Yemen.