HC Deb 28 April 1969 vol 782 cc927-8
30. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement regarding his department's intentions concerning the future employment of Mr. Tony Lee.

Mr. Foley

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend said in the House on 14th April.—[Vol. 781, c. 799–801.]

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

The right hon. Gentleman did not say very much on that occasion. Can the hon. Gentleman tell us whether Mr. Lee is returning to Anguilla? If he is not, can he take it that the congratulations of my right hon. Friend the Member for Flint, West (Mr. Birch) to the Prime Minister on at last finding an opponent of his own size were, to say the least, somewhat premature?

Mr. Foley

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, in making his statement to the House, said that Mr. Lee was coming home for consultations and coming on leave. Mr. Lee arrived on Friday. He will be having discussions with my right hon. Friend this week.

Mr. Braine

Is it not about time that this matter was cleared up, because the House has been given to understand that Mr. Lee will be returning, yet Mr. Lee himself obviously did not expect to return? Would it not be a good idea to appoint somebody of some standing and some stature to persuade the Anguillans about their future—perhaps even a distinguished West Indian?

Mr. Foley

I am attempting to clear this up, but the hon. Gentleman is making rather heavy weather of this situation. Mr. Lee is still Her Majesty's Commissioner. Mr. Cumber is the Acting Commissioner and is there at this moment. Mr. Lee is on leave. His future will be discussed with the Secretary of State when they meet later this week.