§ 2.44 p.m.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
[The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the term; of reference for the Commission relating to British Honduras; what is the name of the Commissioner, and by what date is it expected to report.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)My Lords, Sir Reginald Sharpe, Q.C., has been appointed Commissioner. His terms of reference are:
to investigate and report on allegations brought to his notice by the Government of British Honduras of contacts between the People's United Party or its members on the one hand, and authorities, organisations or persons in Guatemala or their representatives in British Honduras on the other hand.Sir Reginald Sharpe arrives in Belize to-day, and the inquiry will start at once. I cannot say when it will report, but should not be long delayed.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for his reply may I ask whether the fact that this inquiry is proceeding will in any way affect the holding of the elections which are to take place on April 23
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, no change is contemplated in the date of the elections.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, have the Government considered the possible effect of this inquiry on the resolution passed at the Caracas Conference relative to the Western Colonies in the American hemisphere?
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERCertainly we have examined the resolution which was passed.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEDoes it mean that inquiries will be made by our officials in Guatemala?
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERAs this inquiry is sub judice, I would much rather that it proceeded normally, without being cross-questioned too much in Parliament about the results of the inquiry. I think that the best procedure now would be to let Sir Reginald Sharpe inquire into all these details and make his report in due course.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, the terms of reference cannot be sub judice, and it was with the terms of reference that my question dealt
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, I read out the terms of reference, and I have nothing to add. Sir Reginald Sharpe is to make inquiries into allegations that have been made against certain political Parties in British Honduras, that they have links with Guatemala, and I think it would be well to see what Sir Reginald Sharpe says in his report.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, may I say that I think the reply of the noble Earl, according to his answer to me, is" Yes." Under the terms of reference Sir Reginald Sharpe will have power to make such inquiries as he thinks fit about what is happening in Guatemala. Surely the answer is," Yes."
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, I would much rather leave it to Sir Reginald Sharpe. I do not know what he has done out there. I would much rather leave it to him to decide what evidence he should call.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, I should like to be certain—although I take it to be the case—that Sir Reginald Sharpe's report will be published.
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERCertainly his report will be published.