§ 70. Mr. R. Edwardsasked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the cease fire in the Yemen, what steps he is taking to afford official recognition to the Republican Government of That country; and if he will make a statement.
§ 71. Mr. Fisherasked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the new political situation in the Yemen in so far as it affects British interests there.
§ Mr. George ThomsonI would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave the hon. Gentleman the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 9th November, in which I drew attention to recent reports of a cease fire and of a proposed meeting between representatives of both sides in the Yemen. As I said in that reply, Her Majesty's Government hope that these developments may lead to a permanent settlement, but it would be premature to make any statement of policy before we know the outcome of the proposed meeting.