Oral Answers to Questions — South Arabian Federation – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 16 June 1964.
Mr Arthur Henderson
, Rowley Regis and Tipton
12:00,
16 June 1964
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the present situation on the South Arabian-Yemen border.
Mr Duncan Sandys
, Wandsworth Streatham
In recent weeks there have been no open violations of Federal territory by Yemeni forces, though arms and other supplies continue to be sent from the Yemen to the rebels in the Radfan mountains.
Mr Arthur Henderson
, Rowley Regis and Tipton
Have any overtures been made by the rebels in the Radfan area? If so, should not the policy of Her Majesty's Government be flexible in response to such overtures?
Mr Duncan Sandys
, Wandsworth Streatham
The right hon. Gentleman's Question dealt with the border. This is a different matter. Certain approaches have been made, but I do not wish to encourage too high hopes that these will lead to an immediate cessation of the hostilities. Naturally, not only we but the Federal Government, who are primarily concerned in this matter, are anxious to encourage any steps which would lead to the ending of this trouble.
Mr William Warbey
, Ashfield
Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the policy of inducing the rebels in the Radfan area to submit to their feudal authorities by deliberately starving out their women and children—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]
Mr Fenner Brockway
, Eton and Slough
That is admitted.
Mr William Warbey
, Ashfield
—and that has been admitted by the Minister of Defence—is a policy conducive to a successful political settlement of the problems of the area? Will the right hon. Gentleman assist a political settlement by announcing that the person responsible for this crime against humanity will be dismissed and punished?
Mr Duncan Sandys
, Wandsworth Streatham
The hon. Member's supplementary question is not related to the one on the Order Paper. All I would say is that he has presented a wholly distorted picture of the position and one which I can only imagine is calculated to cause mischief and do damage.
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
The right hon. Gentleman is at liberty to say that. I do not say that it is right or wrong, but I think that it is permissible.
Mr Frederick Bellenger
, Bassetlaw
On a point of order. Is it in order for hon. Members to impute dishonourable motives?
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
I think that the words were "calculated to" which means prima facie "that is the result of". [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] It is quite capable of meaning that, and if that is so I must not construe it in a worse form.
Mr Arthur Bottomley
, Middlesbrough East
With respect, may I suggest that it is the intention that counts? If the intention has the result which my hon. Friend the Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) suggested, I submit that it should be ruled out of order.
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
I do not think that the words used were out of order, for the reason which I have given.
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