HC Deb 19 March 1970 vol 798 cc597-8
28. Dame Joan Vickers

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how much money her Department is contributing to the new capital for British Honduras; and when this town will be ready to be the major city of that country.

Mrs. Hart

We are providing £4,932,000 for the first phase of the building of the new capital. The hand-over of the buildings by the contractors to the British Honduras Government is due to begin in May this year.

Dame Joan Vickers

I thank the Minister for that Answer. Will the first phase of this town be ready for the independence of this Territory?

Mrs. Hart

I suppose so. We cannot be quite clear about that, but the important fact is that the first phase is now so near completion, and that is pretty satisfactory.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that this might prove a suitable opportunity of speeding up our examination of the sugar agreement upon which British Honduras depends so much, at the same time as the new capital is being prepared?

Mrs. Hart

It sounds an admirable proposition, but we should need a rather different range of technical advice for the second point as compared with the first.