§ 014. Mr. Sandysasked the Prime Minister whether his attention was drawn to the official communiqué issued on 22nd May by the Government of the Federation of South Arabia to the effect that their views as set out in their statement in Aden on 17th February to the British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies had remained unchanged and had never been retracted; and if he will specify precisely which points in this statement were withdrawn by the Federal Government during their further talks in Aden with the Under-Secretary of State.
§ The Prime MinisterI take it that the right hon. Gentleman is referring to the statement made to the Press on the 22nd May by Mr. Girgirah, the Federal Minister for National Guidance and Instruction. If so, I was aware of it, although the views it contained were never communicated officially to Her Majesty's Government. As for the latter part of the right hon. Gentleman's question, he should know that my noble Friend made it clear during his discussions that he did not accept the allegations of dishonourable conduct levelled at Her Majesty's Government in the opening statement by the Federal Ministers on 17th February and that he was not prepared to continue discussions unless they were withdrawn. It was only my noble Friend's understanding that the allegations had been withdrawn that enabled talks to be continued.