§ 16. Sir J. Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs when the Government intends to grant associated status to St. Vincent.
§ Mr. George ThomasI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 12th December, 1967, to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, North (Earl of Dalkeith).—[Vol. 756, c. 107.]
§ Sir J. RodgersI thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. Are there any results yet from these constitutional discussions? Is he aware that many of us would urge great caution before granting associated status to St. Vincent in order to avoid the development of a situation such as we see today in St. Kitts?
§ Mr. ThomasThe negotiations are still proceeding. We must take into account the fact that the present Government of the territory came to power for the first time only in May last year and they have been greatly occupied with the island's problems.