HC Deb 26 June 1962 vol 661 cc946-7
35. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the West Indies common service conference will take place; and what arrangements will be made for representatives from the smaller islands.

Mr. Maudling

The Interim Commissioner for the West Indies has convened this conference for Tuesday, 10th July, in Port of Spain. He has invited the Governments of all the unit territories of the former Federation to be represented, together with the Governments of the Bahamas, British Honduras, British Guiana and the British Virgin Islands.

Mr. Thomson

While welcoming the expedition with which the conference has been called, may I ask if the Secretary of State is doing all he can to encourage the smaller islands to present a common front and to give themselves the best possible start for a future federation?

Mr. Maudling

I am all in favour of that.

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