§ 48. Mr. Warbeyasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Prime Minister 192 of Ceylon regarding the future of United Kingdom bases on the island.
§ The Prime MinisterA statement, which was agreed between the Prime Minister of Ceylon and myself, was published at the end of the meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers. I have nothing to add to that statement.
§ Mr. WarbeyCan the Prime Minister say whether, as a result of this agreement, the Government of Ceylon will be entirely free to determine the use of the bases in Ceylon both in war and in peace?
§ The Prime MinisterThe powers in this matter which the Government of Ceylon have, if powers is the right term, date from the agreement of 1947. They are written down there. The terms of this exchange between the Prime Minister of Ceylon and myself will be made available in the Library.
§ Mr. StokesMay I ask the Prime Minister whether the arrangements that he has arrived at will form the pattern of future arrangements with other parts of the Commonwealth?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. This pattern stems—if a pattern can stem—from arrangements made in 1947—arrangements then entered into with Ceylon in a defence agreement. As regards self-governing parts of the Commonwealth, arrangements are, of course, made between them and us, or between each other, freely in accordance with whatever terms they like to set down.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWould not my right hon. Friend agree that it is inherent in the conception of Dominion status that individual Dominions should have similar rights to these, and that there is nothing inconsistent with Dominion status in the new agreement?
§ The Prime MinisterMost emphatically, there is not. There are various agreements in various parts of the Commonwealth on matters of this kind.
§ Mr. GaitskellWhile welcoming this agreement, so far as it goes, may I ask the Prime Minister to say whether, in his opinion, we shall, as a result of it, be in any worse defensive position than we were before?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have to work these things out. We have not yet really 193 reached a point where we work out in detail what the facilities will be. All we have agreed is that we will work them out. I would rather not make a final statement until I see what the terms of the final agreement are.