HC Deb 05 April 1960 vol 621 cc180-2
17. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the conclusions reached by the Constitutional Conference on British Guiana.

23. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the British Guiana Constitutional Conference has now been concluded; and if he will make a statement regarding the outcome.

25. Mr. Wade

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he will now make a statement on the outcome of the Constitutional Conference on British Guiana.

Mr. Alport

The Conference came to an end on 31st March and a long Press communiqué issued next day gave all its main conclusions. Copies of this communiqué have been placed in the Library of the House. The full Report of the Conference will be published as a White Paper later this week.

Mr. Brockway

Is it not a fact that agreement was not reached between the delegates from British Guiana and representatives of the Government, and are not these proposals being imposed by the Government upon British Guiana? Is it not the case that there are two particular causes of dissatisfaction—first, that the Upper House is to be entirely nominated and, secondly, that the British Guiana Parliament is not to have control over the police? Why should not British Guiana have as advanced a constitution as other territories in the West Indies?

Mr. Alport

I do not think that I can accept the hon. Member's version of the outcome of the Conference. It is quite possible that some of the expectations with which delegates came to this country were not fulfilled, but that is very often the case in negotiations of this sort. The Conference Report, which was signed by the leader of the delegation, stated that the constitutional changes that have been worked out to take effect in 1961 provided a workable pattern for the constitutional advance of British Guiana. I think that it would be wise for the House to have an opportunity of studying the White Paper when it is published, which will be in a day or two's time.

Mr. Fisher

Is my hon. Friend aware that the advance; towards internal self-government in British Guiana will be generally welcomed, but will he inform the House whether there is any truth in the reports which I have seen of an implied commitment to grant complete independence to British Guiana by 1963? If so, will he reconsider this, because she is certainly not ready for complete independence yet—I have just returned from there—and may well not be ready for it in three years' time? Would not the quickest, surest and best way for her to achieve this be through joining the West Indies Federation?

Mr. Alport

The point to which my hon. Friend refers is dealt with at some length in the Press communiqué. Perhaps it would be convenient to him if I sent him a copy so that he can study the exact terms in which the reference to independence was made. The question of British Guiana joining the West Indies Federation is a different topic.

Mr. Wade

May I ask a specific point with regard to elections when a constitution is eventually put into effect? Whatever one's views may be about the imperfections of the electoral system in this country, is it not clear that, when applied to a Colonial Territory, it may lead to serious anomalies, such as the holding of all the seats by one party? Has adequate consideration been given to this and are there adequate safeguards to ensure that the different points of view will be fairly represented?

Mr. Alport

As I understand it, the object was to ensure that all points of view were properly represented in this, but I do not think that my right hon. Friend can give any assurance about the outcome of an election when it takes place. However, perhaps the hon. Gentleman will consider the White Paper, and the details contained therein, when it is published.