§ Mr. Tinnasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a further statement about constitutional talks on South Arabia.
51W
§ Mr. GreenwoodSince the postponement of the South Arabia Constitutional Conference arranged for March, it has become clear that the Governments and political parties in South Arabia are not ready for such talks and that there is a general wish for further discussion among themselves about the various possibilities of constitutional development which exist. I have considered how we can help in this process and have decided that the best way of doing so lies in the appointment of a Commission which can visit South Arabia, consult with the various interests there, and consider with them what will be the most suitable future constitutional arrangements for the area.
The composition of the Commission has still to be settled but I hope to include some members from countries other than the United Kingdom. I propose to make an oral statement to the House as soon as practicable. The terms of reference of the Commission will be:
"In the light of the wish of the Governments and people of South Arabia to achieve independence as soon as possible, and the general desire in South Arabia for unity, and bearing in mind the declared aspiration of Her Majesty's Government to bring Aden and all the States of the Protectorate of South Arabia, both within and without the Federation, to independence as a single State by 1968, to consider, after consultation with the Governments and peoples of South Arabia, the constitutional structure appropriate for a sovereign independent South Arabian State and the necessary interim constitutional arrangements leading to its introduction, and to make recommendtions."