HC Deb 18 July 1966 vol 732 cc18-9
18. Mr. Wood

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement about the state of negotiations with Mr. Webster on the dispute with Guatemala over the sovereignty of British Honduras.

57. Mr. Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what discussions have recently taken place between the British and Guatemalan Governments on the future of British Honduras; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. M. Stewart

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to my hon. Friend's reply of 11 th July to the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher).

Mr. Wood

Will not the Foreign Secretary go further than that? Will he now give a definite undertaking that no decision will be taken on this matter without consulting the wishes of the inhabitants of the Colony?

Mr. Stewart

I can say that no final treaty will be signed with Guatemala without the full agreement of the Government of British Honduras.

Mr. Hunt

Is not the Foreign Secretary aware that rumours have been circulating for some time that, as a result of the secret talks under the American mediator, Guatemala is to assume control of the defence and foreign policy of British Honduras from December, 1968? Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that any sell-out of this kind of a small but loyal member of the British Commonwealth would be deeply resented both by people in this country and in British Honduras?

Mr. Stewart

I repeat that no final treaty will be signed without the full agreement of the Government of British Honduras. The hon. Gentleman referred to "secret talks under the mediator". The hon. Gentleman will know that it is one of the conditions of the mediation that the proceedings should remain confidential. As he has used the phrase "secret talks", I should say that there have not been, as has been alleged, any secret talks between Her Majesty's Government and the Guatemalan Government on this matter.

Mr. Wood

Could not the Foreign Secretary go further and discountenance any settlement which is inimical to the wishes of the people of the Colony?

Mr. Stewart

No, I do not think I can go further than what I have said.