§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) who was the Chief Director of Intelligence at Aden at the time of the irregularities in October to December, 1965 described in the Bowen Report; and whether he was interviewed by Mr. R. Bowen, Q.C.;
(2) why the then Chief Director of Intelligence at Aden refused to permit the inquiries listed on page 18 of the Bowen Report; and whether any action has been taken against him.
§ Mr. George ThomsonThe Chief of Intelligence at Aden in October-December, 1965 was Brigadier A. W. Cowper, who was serving at the time in a seconded capacity on the High Commissioner's194W staff. He had left Aden on transfer before Mr. Bowen's visit in October, 1966 and it was his successor who was interviewed by Mr. Bowen.
As to the matters raised by Mr. Bowen on page 18 of his report, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is awaiting a report from the High Commissioner which should be reaching him very shortly.
§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) who were High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner at Aden in October and November, 1965; and whether any action has been taken against them as a result of the state of affairs revealed by the Bowen Report;
(2) why no effective action was taken on the irregularities reported in 1965 and listed on page 17 of the Bowen Report; who was the senior person responsible for such failure; and whether any action has been taken against him.
§ Mr. George ThomsonThe High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner at Aden in October and November, 1965 were respectively Sir Richard Turnbull and Mr. T. Oates. Both are still serving in Aden in these capacities.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has asked the High Commissioner to let him have a report on the sequence of events described by Mr. Bowen and I can say no more until this report is received.