§ Q5. Mr. Carterasked the Prime Minister if he will make an official visit to St. Helena.
§ The Prime MinisterI have no plans to do so.
§ Mr. CarterIs the Prime Minister aware that there are 5,000 coloured 1224 British subjects on the Island of St. Helena who are bitterly resentful that the economic and social life of the island is gradually being taken over by South African interests? Is he further aware that I have been threatened with a libel action should I make public certain statements made to me by islanders about their grievances concerning South African interests?
§ The Prime MinisterI know that the hon. Gentleman has taken a great interest in this matter, on which he has expressed considerable concern. He had a talk with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs about it. As he will acknowledge, he did not give the authorship of the threats that were made, and in these circumstances it is not possible to inquire into them. On the allegation about South African influence in the island, the view which has been expressed to us is that the hon. Gentleman is mistaken as to the extent of this influence, but if he will provide us with further information about his anxieties we are perfectly prepared to look into them.
§ Sir H. HarrisonI am sure that my right hon. Friend is aware that when I and an hon. Gentleman opposite went on an official delegation to St. Helena six years ago we found that the 4,000 inhabitants were completely loyal to the British Crown, that a good multiracial society existed and that there was then no influence from South Africa.
§ The Prime MinisterThat was the position; I fully realise that. It is possible that there has been a change since, but the advice we have received is that it does not correspond with the hon. Gentleman's fears. I repeat, if there is genuine anxiety about this, we are prefectly prepared to make further inquiries.