HC Deb 30 June 1981 vol 7 cc822-3

Question proposed, That this schedule be the First schedule to the Bill.

Dr. Glyn

Am I right in understanding that the alterations allow the Government to continue to send British forces to Belize subject to the consent of the Belizean Government?

Mr. Ridley

I think that that is broadly right, yes.

Mr. Christopher Price

It was not my intention to speak on the schedule. I should not do so save for the most enigmatic ministerial response that I have ever heard. It is all very well for the Minister to say at 12.48 am "I think that that is broadly right, yes" in response to a genuine question from his hon. Friend the Member for Windsor and Maidenhead (Dr. Glyn), who asked, in effect, "If the Belize Government, after independence has been granted, were to request the intervention of British forces, would that intervention be accepted?" The Minister used the word "broadly", which no doubt he hopes means that he can get out of any intention to send troops or any refusal to send troops. I assume that he hopes that "broadly" covers both eventualities.

Even if we do not get another intervention from the Minister, who looks well locked down to his Bench, a protest should be entered. The Bill is making a new State in Latin America independent. The intervention of British troops will be essential in its first few years of operation. All that the Minister can say is "I think that that is broadly right." It is an abuse of the procedures of the House. We should be given a definitive statement.

Mr. Ridley

If the hon. Gentleman wants me to spell out the position at greater length, I shall do so.

The power to accept or not to accept British troops in an independent Belize lies with the Belize Government under schedule 1, which deals with their power to make laws and to exercise their sovereignty. If British troops are invited to remain in or to visit an independent Belize at a later stage, many enactments in our law require to be changed for us legally to allow them to go. Schedule 2 deals with that, so what my hon. Friend the Member for Windsor and Maidenhead (Dr. Glyn) said was broadly right.

Question put and agreed to.

Schedule 1 agreed to.

Schedule 2 agreed to.

Bill reported, without amendment.

Motion made, and Question, That the Bill be now read the Third time, put forthwith pursuant to Standing Order No. 56 (Third Reading), and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed.