HC Deb 02 August 1966 vol 733 cc88-9W
Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the date for introducing the new constitutional arrangements for Antigua, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada.

Mr. Stonehouse

It is Her Majesty's Government's intention to introduce the necessary legislation into Parliament in good time to enable its passage before Christmas and to bring the new Constitutions under which these territories will become Associated States of the United Kingdom into force in February, 1967. Her Majesty's Government regret that, largely owing to the amount of drafting work which requires to be done, it will not be possible to bring these arrangements into force before the end of this year.