HL Deb 18 December 1974 vol 355 cc1161-2
Lord BROCKWAY

My 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 have now reviewed the status of Anguilla in fulfilment of the promise given in 1971 to do so within three years.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, this review is in hand, following a visit in September by my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to St. Kitts and Anguilla where she had discussions with the Premier, the Leader of the Anguilla Council and other leading citizens.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, I should like to thank the Minister. Is not this matter now rather urgent in view of the attitude of Mr. Webster and the elected Council in Anguilla? Would Her Majesty's Government consider bringing together a much broader representation of Caribbean countries, so that they can exert their pressure for a solution to this problem and, indeed, to the problem of other islands?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, we do not doubt the urgency. We think, however, it is more important that a general consensus as between these islands should be achieved before we finally move to a solution. As to the suggestion made by my noble friend about a broader representation in a possible meeting or conference, I am sure my right honourable friend will bear that fully in mind.

Lord SLATER

My Lords, would my noble friend agree that adopting the approach suggested by my noble friend in his supplementary question, which is to bring pressure, may not have the anticipated effect? Would it not be better to resist such pressure until these people have had more time to give consideration to what is involved?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, if I may say so, those are very wise words indeed. We are endeavouring to achieve a consensus which will lead to a solution that is durable. It would almost be possible to impose a solution, and then be saddled with continuing difficulty and very dangerous situations in the future. On this question a little more time is well spent.

Earl COWLEY

My Lords, does the noble Lord accept the commitment made by my right honourable friend on 16th July 1971 in another place, that the views and wishes of the Anguillans will be paramount?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

Yes, my Lords, entirely.

Lord HALE

My Lords, would the noble Lord bear in mind that, without the aid of computers and modern communications, the Founding Fathers laid the foundations of the United States in rather less time than has been taken to consider the future of Anguilla, and that it has proved a fairly durable institution?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

No doubt, my Lords—but they did not have to contend with computers.