§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, my noble friend Lord Perth is prepared to make one statement and my noble friend Lord Newton is ready to follow him.
§ 3.43 p.m.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS BOROUGHMy Lords, I beg to ask Her Majesty's Government the Question of which I have given Private Notice on the attempted invasion (shall I call it?) of British Honduras.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF PERTH)My Lords, on January 21 some 30 armed Guatemalan civilians entered the Toledo District of British Honduras. In the village of Pueblo Viejo they are reported to have burnt the Union Jack and hoisted the Guatemalan flag. Some of them went on to the village of San Antonio and beyond. Troops of the Royal Hampshire Regiment arrived in Punta Gorda yesterday morning and went inland to deal with the situation. This morning it is reported that the band has broken up and for the most part is returning, or has returned, to Guatemala. The search, in case any of the band may still be in the territory, continues. Her Majesty's Minister in Guatemala City has been instructed to make representations immediately and to ask for an assurance that there will be no repetition of such an incident.