§ 30. Mr. Jacksonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent disturbances in Bahrain.
§ Mr. George ThomsonAs I told the hon. Member on 12th April, Her Majesty's Government are not responsible for the internal affairs of the British-protected States in the Persian Gulf. I understand, however, that the disturbances began with demonstrations by students on 8th March. The situation became more serious with demonstrations and disturbances arising out of industrial troubles, and with consequent dislocation of normal life on the island. There were several days of rioting in which mobs roamed the streets breaking windows and burning cars. The Bahrain State Police had brought the situation under control by 28th March. Since then there have been only sporadic outbursts of violence, and demonstrations which took place during a public holiday on 13th April. There was a total of eight fatal casualties during the entire period.