§ 1. Mr. Channonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Anglo-French Protocol governing the administration of the New Hebrides still requires that there should be a neutral president for the joint court; who occupies this office; what are the length of tenure and the terms of employment attached to this post; by whom this officer is appointed and by whom he is paid; and from what nationalities, since the Condominium was founded, these presidents have been drawn.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Nigel Fisher)The Protocol requires that there should be a neutral president of the joint court but as it also requires that the neutral President should be appointed by the King of Spain the post has been vacant for some time.
§ Mr. ChannonIs not my hon. Friend aware that no neutral president has ever been appointed? Does he not consider that this is a lamentable state of affairs for the administration of justice in the New Hebrides? Is it not time that a more realistic view was taken, with a view to amending the Constitution of the New Hebrides? Will he enter into talks with the French Government?
§ Mr. FisherAs a matter of fact, there have been two neutral Presidents, both Spanish, in the past. Recently a revised Protocol was sent to the French Government which provides, amongst other things, for the president of the joint court to be appointed jointly by the British and French High Commissioners. We hope to arrange this with the French Government.