§ 2.46 p.m.
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Government of the Federation of the West Indies have intimated to them the result of any deliberations that may have taken place in the Federal Parliament concerning the desire of Jamaica and Trinidad to leave the Federation.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF PERTH)My Lords, I understand that on February 22 the Federal House of Representatives passed a resolution authorising the despatch of a delegation to London to present a case for the continuance of the present Federation. The delegation is expected to arrive about March 2.
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his Answer and would ask him whether he can give us an assurance that, pending the arrival of the delegation and hearing their case, no irrevocable steps will be taken in connection with the future of the Federation?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, I think the answer to that is that any steps will be announced to both Houses because, as your Lordships may recall, we have undertaken to introduce a Dissolution Bill within the fairly near future and that will give one an opportunity to debate or stop any action happening which would be irrevocable.
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, is it the intention of Her Majesty's Government to introduce this Bill prior to hearing the case which will presumably be put forward by the delegation coming from the Federal Parliament?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHI think the answer to that is probably, Yes, my Lords.