§ Q5. Mr. John Fraserasked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an official visit to the Windward Islands.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so.
§ Mr. FraserIn the absence of a visit, could the Prime Minister try to give an assurance to the Associated States that their treatment as traditional suppliers of bananas to this country will for the long term be no less favourable than, say, the treatment given by France to her ex-colonies, particularly in view of Britain's possible entry to the Common Market?
§ The Prime MinisterI think the hon. Gentleman's question refers to the Common Market position if we were to become a member. The matter is being dealt with in the negotiations. My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster discussed it very fully with the Caribbean countries during his recent tour. As to the present position, for which we are responsible, we have given the assurance to the Windwards and the other countries concerned that their interests are being observed just as much as those of Jamaica. I must say in fairness to the Prime Minister of Jamaica that in the conversations I had with him in Singapore he always insisted that the Windwards and the other islands should have exactly the same assurances as he was seeking for Jamaica.