Independence (Hansard, 15 July 1965)

§ 7. Mr. Fisher
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to which of the smaller island territories in the Eastern Caribbean Her Majesty's Government intend to grant independence as individual and unfederated nations within the next three years.

§ 29. Mr. James Johnson
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are his intentions regarding future constitutional advance of the smaller islands of the Eastern Caribbean usually known as the Little Seven.

§ Mr. Greenwood
When the result of the consideration which is being given by the majority of these territories to Federation is known, we shall be in a better position to take a comprehensive look at the constitutional future of all the territories in the area.

§ Mr. Fisher
As the communiqué of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference stated categorically that Britain would bring all or some of the Eastern Caribbean islands to independence in the next three years, either in a federation or separately, would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that these are very small islands? Does he think that they could sustain independence separately in the modern world—except, of course, for Barbados? Could he take the House into his confidence and state whether there is any hope of reviving federation or, alternatively, proposing some other grouping, possibly of the Windwards, within a confederation of the West Indies?

§ Mr. Greenwood
For the sake of accuracy of the record, I should quote the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' communiqué in which it was said that It was hoped that many of these remaining dependencies would reach independence in the next three years, including Basutoland … and also some or all of the territories in the East Caribbean, whether in a federation or separately. The communiqué meant independent in a federation or separately, as the hon. Member said. We are still awaiting the White Paper which the Government of Barbados had hoped to produce by the end of June. When we know what is the attitude of the Barbados Government to federation we shall then know better what the prospects of federation are and what further consideration must be given to the constitutional position of the other islands in the East Caribbean. At the moment none of the possibilities which the hon. Member described is excluded.

§ Mr. Johnson
Does not my right hon. Friend think that there are too many big fish in a little pond? Even if the biggest fish, Barbados, were independent—I think it could be independent, with a quarter of a million people—could not there be a federation, if we were to give more economic aid, of the other six territories—possibly if we give £8 million to £10 million to help them?

§ Mr. Greenwood
My hon. Friend knows the importance and desirability of federating the territories of the East Caribbean. We have made it clear in the 760 past that we should not exclude the possibility of the six to which he referred forming a federation.