HL Deb 29 January 1973 vol 338 c488WA
THE EARL OF SELKIRK

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they received representations in regard to the future status of the island of Great Abaco at the time of the Bahamian Constitutional Talks and whether these representations have been carefully considered.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

Representations on the future status of Great Abaco were made to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on December 14 and at an earlier meeting with my right honourable friend the Minister of State. The views then put forward were given a full hearing, but it was made plain that Her Majesty's Government was only prepared to consider the clearly expressed desire of the Bahamas Parliament for independence and that they could not acquiesce in any fragmentation of the Bahamas.

The meetings took place at the time of the Bahamas independence conference but in no way formed part of the discussions of that conference.

House adjourned at twenty-nine minutes before eight o'clock.