HC Deb 24 July 1967 vol 751 cc25-6W
84. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the changed and dangerous situation in the Middle East, he will give an assurance that British forces will not be withdrawn from Aden while Egyptian aggression continues in any part of the Middle East.

Mr. George Brown

No. We have made it plain that British forces will be withdrawn from South Arabia upon independence.

86. Mr. Donnelly

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

Mr. George Brown

Action on the political and constitutional fronts in preparation for independence continues. The High Commissioner will be flying to New York this week for discussions with the United Nations Special Mission on the latest political developments in South Arabia and what needs to be done before South Arabia achieves independence next January.

88. Dame Joan Vickers

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British civil servants and their families have been injured in Aden since 1964.

Mr. George Brown

In the period 1964 to 20th July, 1967, 10 British civil servants and one dependant have been killed and 12 British civil servants and 12 dependants injured.

94. Sir Richard Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements have been made to secure the future of British Government employees in Aden after independence; and what arrangements have been made to secure the future of the employees of the trustees of Aden Port Trust.

Mr. William Rodgers

It is intended that a Public Officers Agreement on the usual lines shall be signed between Her Majesty's Government and the independent government on the independence of South Arabia. An agreement of this kind will safeguard the rights of officers who retire from or who remain in the public service in South Arabia.

Her Majesty's Government cannot speak for the Aden Port Trust which is an independent body.

95. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the results of the inquiry into the recent Crater incident in Aden.

Mr. George Brown

The preliminary investigation into the recent Crater incident has been completed but the High Commissioner has now arranged for an enquiry to be held by the Chief Justice of Aden. It would not be proper for me to comment until the results of this inquiry are known.

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