§ Motion made, and Question proposed,
§ That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that Her Majesty will give directions that there be presented on behalf of this House a gift of a Parliamentary Library to the Legislatures of the Associated States of St. Christopher, Nevis and Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia and Grenada and assuring Her Majesty that this House will make good the expenses attending the same.—[Mr. Peart.]
§ 12.42 a.m.
§ Sir John Rodgers (Sevenoaks)As the Lord Privy Seal has said, it is an honourable tradition of the House that we should make some commemorative gift to territories which have achieved either complete independence or associated status, but before we present a humble petition to Her Majesty in this case I want to draw attention to the state of tension which exists and the fact that Anguilla does not wish to be associated with St. Kitts and Nevis.
Therefore, if we are to proceed with the presentation of a gift to St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla, I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is prepared to give a special and separate gift to Anguilla in the circumstances which prevail, in which it is being administered by a British civil servant from the Commonwealth Affairs Office.
§ 12.43 a.m.
§ Mr. Neil Marten (Banbury)I am not opposing the Motion but I think that, before we go ahead with it, we should give thought to the questions raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Seven-oaks (Sir J. Rodgers).
These three islands were given associated status and then there was political trouble. Anguilla broke away and declared its independence. I know that island well and I know its people. I do not think that they would wish, if there were a referendum, to go back to the other two islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. I therefore support my hon. Friend's suggestion that we might consider whether one-third of this library should not be given to Anguilla, because it has certain difficulties in getting its share of aid. It would be a nice gesture if we could at least give it some books.
§ 12.44 a.m.
§ Mr. Eldon Griffiths (Bury St. Edmunds)Of course we all support the gesture that is to be made, but will the Lord Privy Seal, before the petition is presented to Her Majesty, ensure that there is the fullest consultation with the Commonwealth Affairs Office about the delicate situation which exists in Anguilla so that no embarrassment will arise? Can the right hon. Gentleman give us that assurance?
§ 12.45 a.m.
§ The Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Fred Peart)I am glad that hon. Members do not oppose the Motion. I have noted carefully what has been said on the issue of consultation and certainly give the undertaking which they seek but, at the same time, I am afraid I cannot go beyond what is in the Motion. I am sure that hon. Members will appreciate this. This is, after all, a gesture. We are giving a library of Parliamentary books which, we hope, will be appreciated by all the islands concerned.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Resolved,
§ That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that Her Majesty will give directions that there be presented on behalf of this House a gift of a Parliamentary Library to the Legislatures of the Associated States of St. Christopher, Nevis and Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia and Grenada and assuring 477 Her Majesty that this House will make good the expenses attending the same.
§ To be presented by Privy Councillors or Members of Her Majesty's Household