HC Deb 14 December 1961 vol 651 cc626-7
Q4. Mr. Healey

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with the Federal Prime Minister of the West Indies.

The Prime Minister

When I heard that Sir Grantley Adams was coming to this country, I invited him to come and see me.

Mr. Healey

While thanking the Prime Minister for that information, may I ask whether he still maintains, after discussion with Sir Grantley, that there was adequate consultation with the Federal Prime Minister of the West Indies before the Government drafted the Commonwealth Immigrants Bill? In these discussions did he succeed in converting Sir Grantley to his own view that the obligations of this country to those Caribbean peoples who are distinguished by their friendship to Britain and their loyalty to the Commonwealth should take second place to the Prime Minister's need to appease racial prejudice in the Conservative Party?

The Prime Minister

The character of those questions makes it clear that what the hon. Gentleman wished to do was to get them out but that he did not expect me to answer them. If I were to make a statement about all the conversations I have with people who come to see me, either at their request or at mine, the number of my visitors would have to be very much reduced.

Mr. Healey

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the supplementary question. Does he still maintain—[interruption.]—This is a matter of immense importance to the solidarity and survival of the British Commonwealth which hon. Members on this side of the House regard as of major interest to this country and the world. Does the right hon. Gentleman still maintain the view he expressed before meeting Sir Grantley—that there was adequate consultation between Her Majesty's Government and the Federal Government of the West Indies before the drafting of the Commonwealth Immigrants Bill?

The Prime Minister

I have nothing to add to or subtract from the statements I made on the subject in the House.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Can my right hon. Friend confirm that Mr. Eric Williams, the Prime Minister of Trinidad, has made no complaint whatever about the introduction of the Commonwealth Immigrants Bill?

The Prime Minister

That illustrates that people say different things.