HC Deb 31 October 1966 vol 735 cc11-2W
77. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the security situation in Aden.

Mr. George Brown

Recent successes achieved by the Security Forces in capturing terrorists and in seizing large quantities of arms, ammunition and explosives brought about a marked decline in the number of terrorist incidents in Aden in September, compared with August and July, but I am sorry to say that there has been a substantial increase in the number of incidents again this month.

79. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he is taking regarding the representations made to him by Amnesty International on the conduct of British troops in Aden, details of which have been sent to him.

Mr. George Brown

Mr. Roderic Bowen, Q.C., my personal representative, flew to Aden on 26th October. In carrying out his task he will naturally take into consideration the allegations which have been made.

Mr. Whitaker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish or place in the Library of the House the report by Mr. R. Bowen, Queen's Counsel, of his investigations into allegations at Aden, and any report on the subject sent to Her Majesty's Government by the Red Cross, in view of the fact that the Red Cross are now willing for this to be done.

Mr. Padley

As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in reply to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 24th October, Mr. Bowen's task is to examine on our behalf the procedures for the arrest, interrogation and detention of suspected terrorists in Aden. My right hon. Friend will wish to see his report before considering publication.

The reports made by the delegate of the International Committee of the Red Cross are confidential between that organisation and Her Majesty's Government. My information is that the Red Cross has not said it is willing for these reports to be published.