§ 2.54 p.m.
§ LORD NAPIER AND ETTRICKMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was a follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a statement on the present political situation in Sierra Leone, with particular reference to the position of the Sovereign's personal representative, Sir Henry Lightfoot Boston.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COM MONWEALTH AFFAIRS (LORD BESWICK)My Lords, as noble Lords will be aware, a National Reformation Council was announced in Sierra Leone on March 23. At the same time, certain provisions of the Constitution were suspended, and Parliament and political Parties were dissolved. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the internal political affairs of Sierra Leone, an independent country within the Commonwealth.
§ LORD NAPIER AND ETTRICKMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I put to him the supplementary Question that I put to the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack? I will repeat it if the noble Lord so desires.
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, on the question of recognition, I hope the position will be clarified shortly. Perhaps 108 the noble Lord would be good enough to put down another Question in two or three days' time.