§ 2.56 p.m.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)My Lords, it may be for your Lordships' convenience if I repeat a statement made by my right honourable friend in another place, in reply to a Question. The statement is as follows:
"In January Her Majesty's Government agreed with the Government of British Guiana to hold an Independence Conference in May. Subsequent events have now made "his impracticable. A Commission, under the Chairmanship of Sir Henry Wynn-Parry, will begin an Inquiry into the February disturbances in Georgetown in the middle of this month. We are discussing with the British Guiana Government measures aimed at enabling the Conference to have before it a formation of local ideas for an Independence Constitution, with initial areas of disagreement narrowed as far as possible. The two Governments are also undertaking a joint examination of financial matters. To enable these measures to be completed some deferment of the Conference is needed. I propose to hold it in July, provided the necessary preparatory steps are completed in time. The Government of British Guiana has been so informed."
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, apparently this is a short adjournment, and I think the best thing we can do is to wish the Government progress in their examination.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, I thank the noble Viscount.