HC Deb 10 July 1962 vol 662 cc1132-3
16. Mr. Healey

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with Sir Alexander Bustamante, the Prime Minister of Jamaica.

Mr. H. Fraser

Discussions with the Jamaican delegation led by Sir Alexander Bustamante on financial, economic and defence matters ended last Friday. In the course of the talks I told the Jamaican delegation that we could make assistance available totaling £4¾ million. This sum includes the gift of War Office lands and buildings in Jamaica which we value at £2½ million an Exchequer loan of £1¼ million towards their current year's capital budget and various unexpended portions of Colonial Development and Welfare allocations amounting to about £1 million.

Mr. Healey

While welcoming the Government's decision to give assistance on this scale to the independent State of Jamaica, may I ask whether the Under-Secretary can tell us anything about the discussions concerning outlets for Jamaican produce if Britain joins the Common Market? In particular, can he say whether any progress has yet been made on what is to happen about the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement? Can he, at least, assure the House that if the Agreement is to end, the Government will insist absolutely on comparable outlets for Jamaican sugar in the enlarged Common Market?

Mr. Fraser

Sir Alexander, while he was here, had discussions with my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal. So far as the other and much more general question relating to sugar is concerned, I can assure him that we are doing all we can to make certain that these outlets for Jamaican sugar are safeguarded.

Mr. Driberg

Was there any discussion with Sir Alexander about the position of the Maroons of Accompong?

Mr. Fraser

Mr. Driberg

Mr. Fraser

Mr. Driberg

But is not the hon. Gentleman aware that I wrote to the Secretary of State a week ago asking that it should be raised with Sir Alexander?

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