§ 10. Mr. Durantasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the British Government's negotiations with Guatemala over the State of Belize.
§ Mr. RowlandsFive meetings have been held this year in the current negotiations with Guatemala on the future of Belize, two of them at ministerial level. British proposals for a settlement have been discussed but some fundamental issues have yet to be resolved.
§ Mr. DurantIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Belizeans wish to keep our presence in the country until there is a just settlement? Is he further aware that our forces in Belize are doing a magnificent job for us that is not realised in this country? Further, what is happening about a Belizean defence force of their own?
§ Mr. RowlandsI am sure that everyone would wish to be associated with the hon. Gentleman's remarks about the rôle, function and part that the British forces are playing in Belize. I am happy to say that in principle we support the development of a defence force, and the Premier, Mr. Price, has been so informed.
§ Mr. LuceIn the light of the overwhelming support for Britain's policy for Belize at the United Nations, will the hon. Gentleman convey to Guatemala that international opinion expects it to co-operate with Britain in reaching an early and honourable settlement—in fact, a settlement that responds to the overwhelming wishes of the Belizeans?
§ Mr. RowlandsI am sure that the Guatemalan Government are more than conscious of the international support for Belizean aspirations for independence. 655 The negotiations that I have been conducting over the past 12 months are at a delicate stage. We hope to achieve an early negotiated settlement with Guatemala on this 150-year-old problem.