§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times the Representative Assembly of the New Hebrides has met since its election in November 1975; and if he expects any change in the frequency of meetings in the future.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe Representative Assembly has met once. We hope that meetings will become frequent after the current by-elections.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the representatives elected to the Representative Assembly of the New Hebrides in November 1975 have now been disqualified as a result of election irregularities; and if these are attributed to the candidates or the administration which organised the elections.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe rulings of the Joint Court vacated five seats because of irregularities in electoral registration arrangements during this first-ever general election by universal adult suffrage. These irregularities were not attributed to the candidates.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the delay in the chiefs' elections in the New Hebrides; and when these will finally be completed.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe representation of customary Chiefs was considered by the other members of the Representative Assembly during its meeting from 29th June to 1st July. They recommended 171W the establishment of a separate independent council to advise on custom matters, including the criteria for choosing Chiefs to represent custom in the Assembly. I expect that the election of Chiefs to sit in the Assembly will be completed within the next week or two and that the Council of Chiefs will be established soon thereafter.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the policy adopted by Her Majesty's Government's for ensuring that the people of the New Hebrides are able to express their wishes on the future government of their homelands;
(2) if he will make a statement on the respective roles of Great Britain and France in the administration of the New Hebrides during the transition to full self-government.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe Governments of France and Great Britain recognise and respect the aspirations of the people of the New Hebrides and will work together for the orderly and democratic evolution of the New Hebrides in accordance with the basic principle of self-determination.
The Representative Assembly has recently recommended the setting up of a Council of Chiefs. The next major step forward will be for the Assembly to elect its own President. There will also be Assembly Committees.
The rôle of the administering powers in the New Hebrides was summarised in the Joint Ministerial Message of 29th June 1976. The Joint Communiqué" of 7th October 1976 describes some measures which will allow further New Hebridean participation in the affairs of their country. The text of the communiqué is as follows:
Talks have been held in London between the French and British Governments on 6th and 7th October about the New Hebrides. The French delegation was led by M Olivier Stirn, Secretary of State for the Overseas Department and Territories, and the United Kingdom delegation by Lord Goronwy-Roberts, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.The two Governments reaffirmed their desire to see democratic progress in the territory. In 1974 the two governments had decided to set up an elected Assembly and this has now been achieved. Important progress has also been 172W made in setting up elected municipalities. The Ministers noted with approval the Resolution of the Assembly recommending the setting up of a Council of Chiefs. The next major step forward in 1977 will be for the Assembly to exericse its responsibilities by electing its own President. At the same time Assembly committees could take an increasing interest in the functioning of the joint administration, and thus pave the way towards executive powers leading progressively to internal self-government. The Ministers attach considerable importance to the working of the Assembly in developing a spirit of democratic co-operation between all parties in the New Hebrides as a preliminary for the genuine exercise of the right of self-determination, which is solemnly reaffirmed by the two Governments.The Ministers noted that outstanding elections for the representation of Custom and by-elections for the Representative Assembly should be completed by the end of the month and expect the Assembly to meet during November to take up the responsibilities entrusted to it.The French and British Ministers considered the economic situation in the territory. They instructed officials to prepare a balanced budget for 1977 for submission to the Representative Assembly. They agreed to appoint an expert to conduct an early fiscal survey. They approved terms of reference for the recently created Joint Office of Development Planning, whose major role will be to complete in 1977 a three-year development plan for the period 1978–80. This plan will determine priorities for consideration by the Representative Assembly, the two Metropolitan Governments and other potential aid donors.The Ministers noted with satisfaction that, in accordance with the decision in November 1974 to establish a new system of land tenure applicable to all inhabitants of the Condominium without distinction of origin, draft legislation has been prepared for early consideration by the Assembly.The Ministers agreed to appoint experts to assist the Resident Commissioners to prepare, in liaison with the Assembly, recommendations to the two Governments for rationalising the joint administration; terms of reference were approved envisaging unification of some departments and harmonisation of others to contribute to the future well-being of the territory.The Ministers agreed that the special status of New Hebrideans should be reflected in the wording of passports which would take the place of the existing travel documents.The Ministers agreed to meet again in the Spring of 1977.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of Santo when the New Hebrides gain their full independence.
§ Mr. TomlinsonNo.