HC Deb 16 March 1967 vol 743 cc141-2W
47. Mr. Sandys

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the scope of the proposed Constitutional Conference for South Arabia, which was abandoned following the failure to reach agreement at the preparatory meeting in August, 1965, included the conclusion of a defence agreement for the protection of the Federation after independence; or whether Her Majesty's Government specifically stated that negotiations on defence matters would be left over until the time of independence.

Mr. George Thomson

The Working Party set up to determine the agenda and scope of the proposed 1965 Conference broke down in August of that year, as I explained in a written reply to the right hon. Gentleman on 10th March. These questions do not therefore arise.—[Vol. 742, c.359.]

Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Federal Government of South Arabia has now rejected independence without a defence treaty; and whether he will now conclude adequate defence arrangements to safeguard the integrity of South Arabia after independence as envisaged in the assurances given on behalf of Her Majesty's Government by the right hon. Member for Streatham in 1964.

Mr. George Brown

My conversations with Federal Ministers in London are confidential. I dealt fully with the question of the assurances given in 1964 by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Streatham (Mr. Sandys) in the Defence Debate on 28th February.—[Vol. 742, c. 281–320.]