§ 9. Sir F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give an assurance that the six principles will be the criteria on which Her Majesty's Government grants independence to British Honduras.
§ Mr. George ThomasI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Question of 14th December, 1967.—[Vol. 756, c. 216.]
§ Sir F. BennettWill the hon. Gentleman accept that I am putting the Question again, and in another form, only because his previous Answer was profoundly unsatisfactory? Will he tell the House whether, out of the six principles, self-determination will be the guiding principle on which the British Honduras problem is settled?
§ Mr. ThomasI hope the hon. Gentleman will accept my assurance that I fully understood his reason for putting 1076 down the Question again. I knew that the Answer would be unsatisfactory today. The voice of the people of Honduras will, of course, be fully taken into account.
§ 10. Sir F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, what answer he has sent to the representations in favour of a referendum on the lines of that held in Gibraltar to ascertain the wishes of the people of British Honduras on their future allegiance, which he has received from Members of the Opposition in British Honduras and from other organisations and individuals connected with the territory.
§ Mr. George ThomasMy right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary confirmed the statement in regard to independence made by my hon. Friend in the Adjournment debate on the 12th August, 1966 and drew attention to the announcement in British Honduras on 16th August, 1967, of an agreement between the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition about the procedure for consultation when proposals are put forward by the mediator.—[Vol. 733, c. 2056.]
§ Sir F. BennettWill the hon. Gentleman accept that that was not even an Answer to the Question? Will he say quite definitely what are the reasons which seem to prevent the Government giving an assurance about a referendum among the people of British Honduras on whether they wish to go to British Guatemala or stay British, as the Government did in the case of Gibraltar?
§ Mr. ThomasThe hon. Gentleman is getting excited without cause. I can give the assurance that the voice of the democratic Government of Honduras will be consulted, and is being consulted, about the right avenue for making arrangements for consultation.
§ Mr. MaudlingThis is the formula which the Government used about Gibraltar in the early stages. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is unsatisfactory? Will he give a categorical assurance that the people of this Colony will not be transferred to alien sovereignty against their will?
§ Mr. ThomasI am about to answer. I have never been shy about answering 1077 questions. One cannot answer this question "Yes" or "No". The people of Honduras will be consulted about their future, and they will decide at the end of the day.
§ Mr. HenigMay 1 probe a little further on this? My hon. Friend referred to consultations with the democratically elected Government of British Honduras. As he knows, many of us welcome this. Will he confirm that if the constitutional status of British Honduras is to be changed in the interests of Guatemala, all sections of all interests and parties in British Honduras must first be consulted?
§ Mr. ThomasI have given the House a full assurance. The people of British Honduras will be consulted about their future.
§ Sir J. RodgersPerhaps I might seek clarification of the hon. Gentleman's last remark. What does he mean when he says that the people of Honduras will be consulted? Does he mean through their Government, which his earlier statement suggested, or does he mean through a referendum? If so, why cannot he say so?
§ Mr. ThomasThe Government of Honduras will advise Her Majesty's Government on the best way of consulting the people of British Honduras. It will be a new principle if this House is to decide for another Government how their people should be consulted.