HC Deb 09 April 1968 vol 762 c1065
19. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will convene a conference in London with the representatives of British Honduras, in order to bring about the independence of British Honduras within the Commonwealth.

33. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement upon future constitutional advance in the territory of British Honduras.

Mr. George Thomson

I would refer to the reply by my right hon. Friend the former Minister of State on 3rd April to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Viscount Lambton).—[Vol. 762, c. 112–13.]

Mr. Fisher

If the right hon. Gentleman receives a request from the Premier of British Honduras for an independence conference in London later this year will he accede to it without waiting for the result of the American mediation over Guatemala, which is quite a separate matter and in any case has taken a very long time?

Mr. Thomson

I am happy to give that assurance.

Mr. Johnson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the whole territory is in a state of ferment over the danger of a forced amalgamation or a putsch to join Guatemala? Can he give the House a pledge that there will be elections in the territory before we ever get near the stage of final independence?

Mr. Thomson

My hon. Friend's question goes a little wide of the original Questions on the Order Paper. There is no question of any forced amalgamation. As I indicated to the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher), we are waiting for the elected Government of British Honduras to put before us proposals for a constitutional conference.

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