PROPOSED CARIBBEAN FEDERATION (Hansard, 17 November 1971)

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

EARL FERRERS
My Lords, we regard this as being entirely a matter for the Governments and peoples concerned, but we should of course welcome the emergence of any larger political entity that Commonwealth Caribbean countries might themselves wish to establish.

§ LORD BROCKWAY
My Lords, while thanking the Minister for his reply, and welcoming the fact that the Government take the view that this is a matter for the peoples concerned—and, indeed, paying some tribute to their self-reliant pride —may I ask this supplementary question? Is not this proposal of enormous importance to the Commonwealth? Can he say whether an approach has been made to Trinidad, Tobago and Barbados to join the federation, and whether consideration has been given to making it a confederation rather than a federation because of the failure of experiments in the latter sphere?

EARL FERRERS
My Lords, as the noble Lord will know, when this proposed federation was first considered Trinidad and Tobago, though they were represented at the meeting, did not sign the declaration; Antigua was represented only by an observer; and Barbados and Jamaica were not represented at all. In the light of that situation, it is of course up to the countries themselves who signed 650 the declaration to try to persuade their neighbours, if they so think fit, to join this association.

§ LORD SHEPHERD
My Lords, while welcoming the decision which has been taken by our Caribbean friends, may I ask the noble Earl whether he can give an assurance that the aid programme which is now available, in particular that to the smaller islands, will continue if this new political organisation can be created?

EARL FERRERS
My Lords, I think that that is a slightly hypothetical question. It is of course Her Majesty's Government's intention to continue to give such aid as they have given in the past. Should a new organisation come about, then of course any such aid is bound to be reviewed in the light of that new organisation when it appears.

§ LORD SHEPHERD
My Lords, in view of the noble Earl's use of the word "hypothetical", I must press this point. Is it not a fact that our aid is given to Commonwealth countries on the basis of need, and that, while a political organisation may be created, the economic need and the economic case remain? Can Her Majesty's Government give an assurance that the aid which has been so generously given in the past will continue to be given, despite any new political creation?

EARL FERRERS
My Lords, the word "hypothetical" was used to refer only to a body which might be created but which has not yet been created. If it is created, then obviously Her Majesty's Government will be bound to take into account the new constitution which is set up.

§ LORD BROCKWAY
My Lords, the Minister may regard this question as hypothetical, but in view of the fact that some of these islands are Associated States with this country and that Guyana is not, have Her Majesty's Government given any thought to the future relationship of this area to the United Kingdom?

EARL FERRERS
My Lords, as the noble Lord rightly said, some of the islands are Associated States; and, of course, if the proposal for a new political union were made, any of the Associated States who wished to do so could, under the West Indies Act 1967, withdraw from their present association with the United Kingdom.

§ LORD SLATER
My Lords, can the Minister say what has been the reaction of Guyana to the proposal embodied within the Question of my noble friend?

EARL FERRERS
My Lords, there was a meeting in Georgetown on November 8 to consider what should be done, taking account of the people who signed this declaration. I think that it was said at that meeting that because the agreement was not 100 per cent. unanimous the processes for achieving political unity must inevitably be more protracted than had been envisaged.

§ LORD SHEPHERD
My Lords, I am sure we understand the noble Earl's difficulties in replying for a Department for which he has no direct responsibility. In view of the fact that there may be some alarm and despondency in the light of the questions and the answers that he has given on the question of aid, I think in fairness I must give notice that we shall need to raise this matter by another Question in order to obtain a more satisfactory answer than that which has been given us this afternoon.

EARL FERRERS
My Lords, if I have given the noble Lord an unsatisfactory answer I will certainly check the details again and write to him about it.

§ LORD BLYTON
My Lords, is the Minister aware that it was a Conservative Government which supported the Federation of the West Indies which ultimately failed; and if this is a hypothetical question which becomes a reality, will the Government not support economic integration in the West Indies?

EARL FERRERS
My Lords, I think that concerns a rather wider field. All I have been trying to say is that any such bringing about of a new State in the Caribbean is for the peoples of the Caribbean themselves to decide. If they so decide, then Her Majesty's Government will of course look upon this with great favour and take such decisions as may be necessary.