§ 2.37 p.m.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy 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 for a statement on the constitutional agreement concluded for the future of Antigua.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (LORD BESWICK)My Lords, the Antigua Constitutional Conference met on February 28 and ended on March 25 with the signing of an agreed Report. This Report has now been presented to Parliament and published as Cmnd. 2963. In broad outline the Conference agreed that there should be a new association between Britain and Antigua which would be free and voluntary and terminable by either country at any time; Antigua should be fully self-governing in all its internal affairs while Britain would be responsible for defence and external affairs; there would be an agreement between the two Governments covering the ways in which this British responsibility would be carried out; there would be the fullest possible consultation and in the field of external affairs a considerable degree of delegation to the Antigua Government. Agreement was also reached on the provisions which should be included in a new Constitution for Antigua, the details of which are set out in Cmnd. 2963. Subject to Parliament, the Government aim at bringing the necessary arrangements with Antigua into effect by the end of 1966.
316 Perhaps I might also take this opportunity of paying tribute to the absolutely superb way in which my noble friend Lord Longford presided over the Conference, which won the praise of friends from both sides and I think added much to its successful outcome.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for that very full reply, may I ask him this? The United Nations allow associated nations to become member States. Could the noble Lord say whether there are limitations in this Constitution towards that achievement, and whether there are provisions by which that status may be obtained?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, the question has not so far been discussed, to the best of my knowledge, but certainly I will look into the point that my noble friend raises.