§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has 485W had with the Government and Governor of Belize concerning the future of the colony; whether any date has been tentatively fixed for independence; whether he is aware of the anxiety of the Opposition in Belize that the colony should not proceed to independence without defence guarantees from Great Britain to safeguard it from exterior aggression after independence; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TomlinsonIn January we discussed with the Government and Governor of Belize the progress of our negotiations with Guatemala. No date has been fixed for independence. We are aware of Belizean anxieties about their security after independence and believe that a negotiated settlement is the best means of ensuring this.