§ Mr. Hamlingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress he has made with his proposal for a working party to meet in London to prepare the agenda for a South Arabian constitutional conference.
§ Mr. GreenwoodFollowing upon my statement in reply to questions on the 27th July, I am glad to say that all the Governments in South Arabia, including those of the Qaiti and Kathiri States as well as the People's Socialist Party and the South Arabian League, have now agreed to send representatives to the proposed Working Party. Unfortunately, owing to a breakdown in wireless communication and bad monsoon weather, it 257W has not been possible so far to convey an invitation to the Government of the Mahra State but it is Her Majesty's Government's strong wish that they should be brought with this process of consultation at the earliest opportunity.
The Working Party will meet in London tomorrow.