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5.
SOUTH ARABIA: INDEPENDENCE BILL
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The Committee had before them a memorandum by the Foreign Secretary (OPD(67) 33) proposing that a South Arabia Independence Bill should be introduced and passed through both Houses of Parliament before the Summer
Recess.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY said that, in the light of the discussion in the Cabinet on the previous day of our policy on South Arabia, he was consulting with the Lord President on the time table for the various stages of the Bill that would have to be passed through Parliament to provide for the surrender of sovereignty over Aden, Perin and the Kuria Muria Islands and the independence of the other parts of South Arabia which have Protectorate status. It appeared that, should this prove necessary, the Bill could be passed through all its stages before the Summer Recess.
The Committee
Ap
Took note of the Foreign Secretary's statement.
Cabinet Office, S.W.1.
15th May 1967
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