HL Deb 19 January 1978 vol 388 cc207-9

3.24 p.m.

Lord SEGAL

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 will delay any decision about the future independence of Dominica until after the next General Election has taken place on that island.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, the British Government have received no request to delay a decision on Dominica's independence until after the next General Election there. The Opposition have proposed that the independence constitution should provide that the next General Elections should be held early in 1980, which is when they would be due under the existing constitution.

Lord SEGAL

My Lords, I should like to thank my noble friend for that reply, which will be well received in many parts of the island. Is my noble friend aware that there is a possibility of a snap General Election being declared? Will Her Majesty's Government exert their influence to ensure that the existing electoral register is brought up to date by an impartial body before the next General Election takes place?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, my noble friend makes an important point, and I have no doubt that our friends in Dominica will take full note of what he says. Dominica is a self-governing State in association with the United Kingdom. That means that, although we are responsible for its external affairs and defence, we have no responsibility for nor power to intervene in its internal affairs. Nevertheless, as a long-established friend of Dominica, we are in a position to intimate to them what we hope they will find it possible to do. I very much agree with my noble friend that proper preparations for a viable election should form part of the Dominicans' thinking on this matter.

Lord GLENDEVON

My Lords, to what extent are we in the position to give that advice if, in fact, we are responsible solely for their foreign policy?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, of course we are properly and fully represented in Dominica and are in constant close touch with them, exchanging views on a wide variety of matters, including commerce as well as constitutional matters. There is no difficulty about this at all.

Baroness ELLES

My Lords, are the Government satisfied that the vast majority of the people of Dominica want independence? If so, what measures have they taken to ensure this and what criteria have they used to make this judgment?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, detailed reports of the public and Parliamentary discussion of the White Paper which emanated from the Constitutional Conference have, of course, reached us. It appears that Parliament and the people in Dominica are actively discussing the nature of the constitution which was accepted at the Conference.

If we are satisfied that the desire for independence is widely supported by the people of Dominica, we shall recommend that they proceed to independence. The progress and the process of internal discussion is, I think, encouraging. It is a factual matter: radio discussions, public newspaper articles and public meetings are proceeding and are, I think, gathering momentum. It is apposite to say that, although both Government and Opposition have a number of constitutional points on which they are at variance, they nevertheless agree that Dominica should proceed to independence. I have an impression that the differences between Government and Opposition are narrowing practically day by day.

Lord KENNET

My Lords, is it not the case that although at the present moment we are responsible only for the defence and foreign affairs of the associated States in the Caribbean, under the West Indies Act 1967 we have the power to resume control over their internal affairs at any moment we judge right, and that this power has been used, though not in Dominica?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, that may be so. It has not been used here and I see no reason why it should or any prospect of it being applied to this part of our dependency.

Lord SEGAL

My Lords, in view of the fact that known irregularities have occurred at General Elections held elsewhere in the Caribbean area, could Her Majesty's Government arrange to send an observer to attend the count at any future General Election held in that island?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I would hesitate to make any suggestion which conveyed to the Dominican authorities a doubt about the fairness with which they will conduct their General Election. They are well aware of the hopes and expectations of their friends in this country. I have every confidence that they will comport themselves accordingly.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, might it not be less prejudicial if the Commonwealth Secretariat were approached to appoint an observer?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I am sure that the Commonwealth Secretariat will consider my noble friend's suggestion with great care.

The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)

My Lords, I think that noble Lords have had a good run on this Question.