§ 13. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his talks with Mr. James Mancham, and other Seychelles leaders in London, on the question of a constitution for the Seychelles.
§ Mr. KershawNeither Mr. James Mancham nor any other Seychelles leader who may now be in London has sought any meeting with me on the question of a new constitution for the Seychelles.
§ Mr. DalyellHave the Government taken the prudent precaution of talking to the Opposition dissident groups in the Seychelles and at least hearing their views?
§ Mr. KershawThe present constitution was agreed by all the political leaders in the Seychelles at the London Conference in March, 1970, and it came into operation in October, 1970. It has been going for 18 months and there is no reason to change it now.
§ Mr. MatherWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that the great majority of people in the Seychelles are in favour of closer ties with Britain, and will he consider ways and means of sustaining their wish in this matter?
§ Mr. KershawWe very much reciprocate the desire to be in the closest touch with our co-citizens in the Seychelles. Any question of changing the constitution is, of course, another matter.