HC Deb 28 November 1967 vol 755 cc79-80W
Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British Servicemen and civilians are at present patients in hospital in Aden; whether the condition of any of them is so serious that it may be unwise to move them before the end of this month; what arrangements are being made to safeguard any patients or staff who may have to remain there after the general withdrawal from Aden; and if he will obtain firm assurances to this end from the future Government of Aden.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

A few Service personnel are in sick quarters in Aden and they will all be evacuated with the other troops. No British civilians of United Kingdom origin are in hospitals in Aden.

Two British doctors will remain at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for a short period after independence. They will be in the same position as any other British civilians remaining in Aden. There are also two British ladies, married to Arabs, working in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The National Liberation Front have expressed their determination to protect the lives of foreign nationals remaining in Aden.

Viscount Lambton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken to see that the lives of members and adherents of the late Federal Government in Aden and the Federation are safeguarded when British forces withdraw from Aden.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

This has been discussed with the National Liberation Front in Geneva Some former State Rulers and others are still detained in South Arabia but we have received no reports of ill-treatment.