§ 83. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in respect of which details the territories expected to form the new West Indies Federation now wish to reconsider the kind of federation set out in Command Paper No. 1746 and in the reports of the Fiscal and Public Service Commissioners; and which territories are pressing for the particular changes.
§ Mr. FisherI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. G. M. Thomson) on 2nd July. As my discussions with Chief Ministers in Barbados in May were confidential I am not in a position to add to the statement issued by my right hon. Friend on 10th June and the statement by the Regional Council of Ministers, annexed thereto, as amended by a later announcement issued by my Office on 29th June.
§ 84. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further meetings of the territorial Chief Ministers are planned to seek agreement on the details of a new West Indies Federation; where these meetings are to be held; and when it is expected that a London Conference to form the Federation can be held.
§ Mr. FisherI am not aware of any meetings of Chief Ministers planned particularly for this purpose but they meet from time to time in Barbados as members of the Regional Council of Ministers to discuss matters of common interest.
I hope that, as agreed at my discussions with Chief Ministers in Barbados in May, it will be possible to hold a Federation Conference in London later in the year.