asked the Secretary of Slate for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement about the discussions in London between the British Government and the South Arabian Federal Government.

I would refer the hon. Member to my written reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 13th June.

Although we appreciate that the Government repudiate their legal obligation to defend the South Arabian Federation after independence, will the Government make it clear that in their view they have a moral obligation on granting independence to this country to sustain it with defensive means?

We have concluded the agreement with the Federal Ministers, to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member for Chigwell on 13th June. Apart from that, I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have already said.