HC Deb 07 February 1949 vol 461 cc5-7
10. Mr. Platts-Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Supreme Court of the U.S. has ruled that the Bermuda base leased to U.S.A. by the United Kingdom is a U.S. possession; and whether he will make it clear that His Majesty's Government are not prepared to accept this ruling.

The Minister of State (Mr. McNeil)

On 6th December the Supreme Court of the United States gave a ruling that certain United States legislation was applicable to the leased area in Bermuda. Implications of this ruling are being studied but I should emphasise that the court made it clear that there was no intention to query British sovereignty.

Mr. Platts-Mills

Whatever the Court suggested, is not the obvious implication that the American court were saying that this is American territory? Will the right hon. Gentleman be at pains to resist any such encroachment, however indirect the implication may be.

Mr. McNeil

I should not like to put my legal opinion against that of the hon. Gentleman, however much I would like to put other opinions of mine, but it seemed to me that the Court expressly reserved the position of British sovereignty.

Mr. Oliver Stanley

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "reserved" that they pronounced no opinion? Surely that is hardly satisfactory, in view of the pledge given to Bermuda at the time of the lease that there would be no abatement of British sovereignty?

Mr. McNeil

His Majesty's Government may be depended upon to see that the pledge is upheld if it is likely to be in danger. I have no reason to believe that it is in danger. I should add that one of the parties to the action has asked for a re-hearing.

Mr. Eric Fletcher

May we take it from what the right hon. Gentleman has said that he will not accept the decision of the Supreme Court as involving any variation of the conditions on which these bases were leased?

Mr. McNeil

I do not see that the action in the Court sought to vary the conditions of the leases. The action in the Court dealt with certain conditions of working in the leased area.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Does the decision mean anything more than that American law will prevail as long as and no longer than the base is leased to the United States of America?

Mr. McNeil

Since the action is to be reheard, I should not care to commit myself on what will be a subject for the Court.

Mr. Platts-Mills

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that one of the effects of this decision is very greatly to increase the wage rates of certain employees in this American possession? Will he consider representing to his right hon. Friend that the wage rates of other Colonial peoples in the same area should be increased in the same way?

Mr. McNeil

I am sure that my right hon. Friend would be so impressed by the support given by the hon. Member to the American way of life that he would take great notice of it.