Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the political situation in Yemen; and whether they support autonomy or separation for south Yemen.

A political settlement is the only way to bring long-term stability to Yemen and to address the worsening humanitarian crisis. The Yemeni parties must engage constructively and in good faith to overcome obstacles and find a political solution to end the conflict.

The issue of governance arrangements for southern Yemen is ultimately a question for the Yemeni people. The UK position - and that of the UN Security Council – is to support the unity, sovereignty and independence of Yemen. It is likely however that a greater degree of autonomy for all Yemen's regions, including the south, will be required to promote stability, as agreed in the National Dialogue outcomes. We urge all Yemeni groups to pursue political aspirations through peaceful dialogue and to refrain from violence.