HC Deb 18 June 1959 vol 607 cc636-7
28. Mr. Brockway

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what conclusions have been reached in the discussions with the delegation from the Maldivian Government on the leasing of a staging post on Gan Island for the use of the Royal Air Force and the future constitutional status of the Maldive territories.

The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. C. J. M. Alport)

I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer to his Question on 13th April. In reply to Her Majesty's Government's invitation, the Maldivian Government informed the United Kingdom High Commissioner in Colombo on 15th June that a delegation from the Maldives would visit London to resume negotiations. Steps are now being taken to arrange an appropriate date for the talks to begin.

Mr. Brockway

I thank the Minister for that reply. In view of the information which I have sent him about the appalling conditions of the people in these islands, when the Government are taking part in these negotiations, will they seek to amend the very meagre allowance which is given in respect of British facilities so as to enable the standard of life of these people to be raised?

Mr. Alport

The hon. Member will recollect that on a number of occasions we have stated that we stand firmly by the undertaking that we gave to the Maldivian Government not to intervene in their internal affairs, but we have also made it clear to them that when these discussions take place the question of aid and technical assistance for them would be one of the subjects that we should be very glad to discuss with them.