HC Deb 30 January 1961 vol 633 c593
38. Mr. N. Pannell

asked the Lord Privy Seal what were the reasons for Her Majesty's Government's agreement to the establishment by the United Arab Republic of a consulate at Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Mr. Heath

After consultation with the Government of Sierra Leone, Her Majesty's Government saw no reason for refusing the United Arab Republic's request.

Mr. Pannell

In view of the impending independence of Sierra Leone and the relative insignificance of the United Arab Republic's inferests in that Colony, would it not have been better to defer a decision and leave it to the unfettered discretion of the Sierra Leone Government after independence?

Mr. Heath

It was because of forthcoming independence that Her Majesty's Government consulted very closely with people in Sierra Leone and, as they were quite agreeable to Phis appointment being made, Her Majesty's Government accepted it.