§ Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement arising out of his talks with the Premier of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla.
§ Mr. M. StewartThe Premier of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla and I had a series of useful discussions during his recent visit to London on the setting up of a Commission to study the Anguilla problem in the light of constitutional and other factors and to make recommendations leading to a satisfactory and durable solution. We have agreed that the Commission will be appointed later in the year.
Our discussions also covered a number of matters relating to the administration of Anguilla by Her Majesty's Commissioner, on which agreement was reached.
It has been agreed in consultation with the Ministry of Overseas Development that the unexpended balance (about £500,000) of Colonial Development and Welfare funds already allocated to the State, together with a similar sum representing succeeding allocations of development aid in the period up to 31st March, 1972, should be made available towards the construction of a jet airstrip in St. Kitts. It has also been agreed that a special development grant amounting to £150,000 over the next two years shall be devoted to agreed development projects in Nevis.
The following are the terms of reference of the Commission:
A Commission will be appointed consisting of a Chairman and four members selected jointly by our two Governments.2. The terms of reference will be:—Recognising the fact that the island of Anguilla is part of the unitary State of St. 153W Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla in accordance with the constitution of that Associated State;Having regard to the resolution concerning Anguilla adopted unanimously at the meeting of Commonwealth Caribbean Heads of Government at Port of Spain in February, 1969, the text of which is annexed hereto:—Bearing in mind the problems and consequences that might arise from further fragmentation in the Caribbean, the Commission will consider:—and in accordance with the foregoing facts, and with such considerations as the Commission judged to be strictly pertinent, make recommendations that may lead to a satisfactory and durable solution.
- (a) the causes of the situation that has come about in Anguilla;
- (b) the best means of dispelling any misunderstandings relating to that situation;
3. The members will be independent persons of sufficient standing to command respect throughout the Caribbean. Persons from any country in the Commonwealth may serve as members, but every member will sit in his personal capacity and not as the representative of his Government. There will be consultation with all the Commonwealth Caribbean Governments, and the Government of any other Commonwealth country providing a member, concerning the suitability and availability of the persons our two Governments have in mind jointly to select and appoint as members of the Commission.4. In order to enable the necessary consultation to take place and to give more time for creating an ordered atmosphere on the Island, the Commission will not be appointed before December, 1969.FIFTH CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENTS OF COMMONWEALTH CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES
Conclusions relating to Anguilla
"The Conference also noted that the situation arising from the attempt by the island of Anguilla to secede illegally from the State of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla remains unresolved. The Conference re-affirmed its commitment to the democratic process as the basis of all Governments in the Commonwealth Caribbean and its rejection of action directed to the overthrow of democratic regimes by force. The Conference called upon the Government of the United Kingdom to take all necessary steps in collaboration with the Government of the State to confirm the territorial integrity of St. KittsNevis-Anguilla."