HC Deb 04 April 1876 vol 228 c1178
MR. COWPER-TEMPLE

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the remonstrance of the Assembly of Barbadoes against being included in a federation of the Windward Islands, will receive due consideration; and, whether it is intended to abandon or modify the proposal for confederation?

MR. J. LOWTHER

Lord Carnarvon has, in a despatch written in January last, and published in the colony, explicitly stated that— Her Majesty's Government could not proceed with any measure of confederation in the Windward Islands except on the spontaneous request of each Legislature concerned. It is not known here whether any proposal for confederation is now before the Legislature of Barbadoes; and until information is received as to the precise course which is being taken by the local Government it is impossible to express any opinion.