§ 2.8 p.m.
§ LORD CLIFFORD OF CHUDLEIGHMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can give an assurance that at no time have they considered handing over British Honduras to Guatemala, and that they will never do so.]
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, the answer is "Yes". I will repeat the assurance given by my noble friend Lord Beswick on June 28, 1966, when he said that Her Majesty's Government would not enter into any agreement with Guatemala affecting the future of British Honduras without the agreement of the Government of British Honduras.
§ LORD CLIFFORD OF CHUDLEIGHMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer. May I ask whether, in view of the recent scuttlings from other pans of the world, from our friends, allies and relations, at the drop of a "Left foot," the noble Lord would confirm or deny the Press reports that the Government of the United States of America has brought 307 pressure to bear on Her Majesty's Government in this matter as a kind of quid pro quo for the Guatemalan Government's action in allowing anti-Castro forces to train on its territory?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, there are many, many ignorant and malicious reports that appear in the Press and in other media of communication—and not only in the case of Guatemala and British Honduras. The assurance I have given stands, and I have nothing further to add to it.