§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of Great Britain's policy of only giving independence to a Government which represents the majority of a former possession, he is satisfied that the present administration in Aden represents a majority of the population there; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George BrownAlthough it would have been normal to hold elections in the Colony of Aden before independence, this is impossible in present conditions of intimidation by murder and terrorism. None the less the provisional constitution of the new Republic of South Arabia, of which Aden will form part, provides for elections on the basis of universal adult suffrage as soon as the essential administrative preparations have been completed and these should result in the formation of a government representative of the wishes of the majority of the population.