HC Deb 06 May 1953 vol 515 cc363-4
3. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the results of the recent conference in London on West Indies federation.

9. Mr. D. Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement on the conference now meeting in London to consider West Indian federation.

20. Mr. R. Robinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the recent conference on West Indies federation.

26. Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a further statement with regard to the conference on West Indian federation.

32. Mr. Parker

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the recent British Caribbean conference.

43. Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the question of the proposals for federation in the West Indies.

Mr. Lyttelton

I am happy to say that the conference reached agreement on a plan for federation, which will now be submitted to the West Indian Legislatures concerned. A summary of the report of the conference, which was issued to the Press when it ended on 30th April, has been placed in the Library of the House. The full report will be published shortly as a White Paper which will be issued simultaneously here and in the Caribbean Colonies.

Mr. Hector Hughes

I thank the Secretary of State for sending me a detailed report of the conference, and would ask him what steps he proposes to take immediately to implement the result of that conference.

Mr. Lyttelton

It is not in my competence or power to implement the results of that conference. It lies now in the hands of the separate Legislatures of the 10 countries involved.

Mr. J. Griffiths

I offer congratulations and good wishes to all those who took part in the conference, including the Secretary of State. Does it not show the advantage of patience and negotiations that, after 10 years of a movement begun by the late Mr. Oliver Stanley, we are able to get federation by agreement and consent?

Mr. Lyttelton

I thank the right hon. Gentleman, and I hope he is not using this particular occasion, which, I think, is a happy one, to introduce by a side door an argument about Central African federation.

Mr. R. Robinson

Does my right hon. Friend think that the proposed plan leaves ample opportunity for British Guiana and British Honduras to join the federation if they so desire?

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, that is so. The door, if it is not open, is at least ajar.