HC Deb 17 February 1969 vol 778 cc15-8
10. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on current relations with St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla.

23. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on his policy with regard to St. Kitts and Anguilla; and what new initiative he plans to seek a settlement.

46. Mr. Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in negotiations to continue the appointment of a British administrator in Anguilla.

78. Sir Knox Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, before the discussions which are to take place during the visit of the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the Associated States of the Eastern Caribbean, he will arrange with the authorities of the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla group for a visit to Anguilla by the Under-Secretary.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

I would refer the hon. Gentlemen to the reply that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson) on 5th of February [Vol. 777, c. 127–9]. As regards a new initiative, my hon. Friend will do what he can, within the limits imposed by the constitutional position, when he visits the Associated States of the Eastern Caribbean later this month.

Mr. Marten

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the great majority of Anguillans wish to retain their links with Britain and the Commonwealth? As an earnest of our good intentions, could he arrange for a senior British officer to return to Anguilla, as that is what the people want, and also protect them from the shoal of financial sharks which may well be moving in for a killing in that area?

Mr. Roberts

I agree with what the hon. Gentleman says about the sentiments of the Anguillan people. My hon. Friend hopes to meet all concerned when he visits the area, and certainly he will consult with Mr. Lee, who lately was the administrator on the island.

Mr. Fisher

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that his hon. Friend will discuss the matter with the Premier of St. Kitts and with Mr. Webster of Anguilla, and try to continue the policy of mediation between the two, possibly with a view to a confederal solution? Is he aware of any help being received from the independent Governments in the Caribbean, who should be as anxious as we are to see the problems solved?

Mr. Roberts

On the range of his contacts I could not prejudge what my hon. Friend will decide, but I should expect that these would be very wide and representative. Concerning a Caribbean initiative, if I may call it that, certainly this will be one of the things that he will bear in mind.

Mr. Hunt

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that most Anguillans feel that they have been deserted by Britain? What are the Government doing to dispel this most unfortunate impression, and may I ask whether the Minister's hon. Friend is going to Anguilla?

Mr. Roberts

My hon. Friend will decide on the spot, in the circumstances obtaining, whether he will go to Anguilla. On the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I do not think it fair to say that the Anguillans have been deserted. What has happened is that Anguilla has taken unilateral action to terminate the interim arrangements.

Mr. Henig

Will my right hon. Friend give the House an absolute assurance that any request from the Government of St. Kitts for arms with which to crash the rebellion will be refused?

Mr. Roberts

I think that we should meet those points if and when they arise. I do not anticipate that any such situation will ever arise.

Mr. Braine

Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the St. Kitts Government have imposed sanctions on mail and trade to Anguilla? Is it not a very unsatisfactory state of affairs that this country, responsible for the external affairs of these islands, is apparently unable to solve this dispute? Have the Government any proposal to invite the help of other Commonwealth Governments in the Caribbean in finding a solution?

Mr. Roberts

The cessation of mail deliveries is an internal matter. Nevertheless, when my hon. Friend visits the area he will look into this very carefully and seek ways of resolving this difficult problem. As to the Caribbean initiative, I repeat that this will be one of the matters that my hon. Friend will bear in mind.

Sir Knox Cunningham

On a point of order. Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I will raise the matter again.