HL Deb 10 July 1975 vol 362 cc906-7

3.8 p.m.

Lord REIGATE

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 completed the promised review of the Constitution of Anguilla.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)

My Lords, the review has been completed. The Anguillans accepted Her Majesty's Government's proposal that a new and separate Constitution should be provided for Anguilla giving a substantial measure of internal autonomy.

Lord REIGATE

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that very helpful reply. First, may I assume that this change will be done by Order in Council? Secondly, may I ask him whether, before the Order in Council is published, the Government would consider setting out the proposals in a White Paper in which it would also be possible to show the attitude of Mr. Bradshaw and the Government of St. Kitts-Nevis, for whom this decision, although in my view a right one, is a very heavy blow to sustain?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, as the noble Lord has indicated, an Order in Council is being prepared. As to his suggestion for an explanatory document, I will bear that suggestion very much in mind.