§ 5. Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will give a defence guarantee against external aggression to the colony of British Honduras when she achieves independence.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Maurice Foley)No, Sir. The defence 977 of British Honduras after independence is one of the many problems which will have to be discussed with the British Hondurans and is a matter which will no doubt be raised at any conference about independence. In these circumstances it is premature to talk about assurances.
§ Mr. FisherIn view of the not unjustied historical fears of British Honduras about her territorial integrity, will the hon. Gentleman agree that it is not unreasonable that she should ask for, and that we should give, some defence guarantee when she assumes the responsibilities of independence? Surely, if we can invade Anguilla we can defend British Honduras?
§ Mr. FoleyI do not want to go into the question of Anguilla, because there are other Questions about it on the Order Paper. We are fully aware of the anxieties of the people of British Honduras, and we share with them the hopes that a means of settling the British Honduras-Guatemala dispute can be found, so that British Honduras can proceed to independence on the best possible terms with her neighbour.
§ Mr. BraineIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the genuine anxiety that exists in the colony about the future? Surely, the best service that Her Majesty's Government can provide is to give a firm assurance that, before there is any question of independence, there will be a general election at which the real desires of the people can be ascertained?