HC Deb 13 February 1946 vol 419 cc362-3
5. Mr. Oliver Stanley

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government in referring to U.N.O. the boundary dispute with Guatemala, have secured that no British subject can, without their own consent, be transferred by some legal decision to the sovereignty of another nation.

Mr. George Hall

His Majesty's Government have announced that they will accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to pronounce upon the claims of Guatemala in respect of British Honduras, and it is now for the Guatemalan Government to take the matter before the Court, should they wish to do so. H.M. Government informed the Guatemalan Government, when intimating to them the above intention, that they had always disputed, and must continue to dispute, the territorial claims of Guatemala in respect of British Honduras. As the matter is now potentially sub judice, it would be inexpedient to make statements anticipating the decision of the Court, but the right hon. Gentleman may rest assured that H.M. Government have the matter referred to in this Question very much at heart and would take every step to ensure that no British subject should be deprived of British nationality without his consent.

Mr. Stanley

Whilst I am thankful for that assurance, will the right hon. Gentleman inform me what steps are open, if in fact they have made this reference to arbitration, without any reservation on this point at all?

Mr. George Hall

I could not, without notice.

30. Captain Sir Peter Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a full statement defining the present position regarding the frontier between Guatemala and British Honduras.

Mr. George Hall

His Majesty's Government have informed the Government of Guatemala that they propose to recognise, in relation to any other State accepting the same obligation, the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in all legal disputes concerning the interpretation, application or validity of any Treaty relating to the boundaries of British Honduras. The full text of the Guatemalan reply is not yet available in this country but will, of course, be most carefully studied when it is received.