34. Mr. Braiseasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of British Honduras on methods of ensuring that all the people of that territory are given the opportunity of agreeing or disagreeing with the mediator's proposals.
§ Mr. George ThomasThere has been no occasion for discussion with the Government of British Honduras recently. We shall consult them as soon as the mediator's report is available.
§ Mr. BraineWhile the House fully accepts Her Majesty's Government's assurance that the Government of British Honduras will be consulted, why cannot Her Majesty's Government make it plain that, if the majority of the people of British Honduras are against the American Mediator's suggestion of cession to Guatemala, they will respect their wishes?
§ Mr. ThomasThe hon. Gentleman is using the language of an imperialist. It is not for this House nor for Her Majesty's Government to tell the Government of British Honduras how their people shall be consulted. As soon as the Mediator's report is received, we shall consult the Government of British Honduras as to the best way of finding out the wishes of their people.
§ Mr. HenigCan my hon. Friend tell us whether he has it in mind that, when the report is received, there shall, in British Honduras, as with other former British Colonies, be a constitutional conference, at which one of the conditions of the future constitutional arrangements will be that they are acceptable to all the people or at least the majority of the people?
§ Mr. ThomasI do not think my hon. Friend need be worried on that matter.