HC Deb 16 March 1967 vol 743 cc696-7
18. Mr. Wood

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will make a statement about his recent visit to the West Indies.

The Minister of Overseas Development (Mr. Arthur Bottomley)

I crave your indulgence, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House for my lengthy reply to this Question.

The purpose of my visit was to hand over, on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, the Constitutional Instruments to the five islands—St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada—to which Parliament granted Associated Statehood at the end of February and the beginning of this month.

I took the opportunity of paying a visit to three other countries, Barbados, Guyana and Colombia, which are receiving assistance under my Ministry's aid programme.

I would like to tell the House how impressed I was by the dignity with which the flag-raising and ceremonies in the Assemblies were carried out. I was privileged to convey to these Assemblies the Instruments of Associated Statehood and the good wishes of Britain. In conveying those good wishes I feel confident I spoke for the whole of this House.

I also carried with me a message from Her Majesty which the Governor of each new State conveyed to the Assemblies and to the peoples.

It gave me great pleasure also to present to each of the five new States—

Sir Harmar Nicholls

On a point of order. Have you not already given a Ruling, Mr. Speaker, that Answers of this sort should be given at the end of Question Time?

Mr. Speaker

Not a Ruling. I have given only advice. I think that really long Answers should be taken at the end of Questions.

Mr. Bottomley

Further to that point of order. I have only just arrived back from the West Indies and I would have liked to have given this Answer at the end of Question Time. The right hon. Member for Bridlington (Mr. Wood) asked me to reply to his Question and I took the opportunity to do so now. However, I should still like the opportunity to reply at the end of Questions if that is your wish, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

It helps proceedings if long Answers are given at the end of Questions.

Mr. Bottomley

May I give the Answer then?

Mr. Speaker

I have no power to stop the right hon. Gentleman.