HL Deb 07 July 1969 vol 303 c764
LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what conclusions were reached at the conference with representatives of St. Vincent regarding a future Constitution.]

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, copies of the Report of the Conference are available in the Library. Subject to the Legislative Council's approval of the outline of the revised Constitution, St. Vincent will become an Associated State on October 27, 1969.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while congratulating my noble friend on the outcome of this Conference, may I ask whether he could inform the House what are the differences between the Government and the Opposition in St. Vincent on this matter, and whether he thinks that they will prejudice the realisation of what is hoped for?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, on the Constitution itself, apart from two very minor detailed points, there was unanimity and agreement between the two sides. The basic difference, which is not unusual, as I am sure my noble friend will understand, is that the Government of St. Vincent do not think that a General Election is needed and the Opposition, like all Oppositions, feel that a General Election should come when it suits them.