§ 35. Miss Boothroydasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether consultations are taking place between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of St. Lucia leading towards independence for the island; and whether he will make a statement.
§ 46. Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards independence for St. Lucia.
§ Mr. RowlandsDiscussions on constitutional advance were held in London last April with the St. Lucia Government and Opposition, after which the St. Lucia 717W Government published a Green Paper on independence. The Government hope to hold a further round of talks with the St. Lucia Government and Opposition in London shortly, in an attempt to carry matters forward.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what elements of foreign affairs and defence policy of St. Lucia are retained by him; what elements are exercised by the Government of St. Lucia; and for what reasons he retains part of those responsibilities.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe British Government have general responsibility for St. Lucia's external affairs and defence. Certain areas of external affairs have been delegated to the Government of St. Lucia and are specified in the Commonwealth Secretary's despatch of 16th February 1967, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The Government's policy on independence for St. Lucia was set out in my reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich, West (Miss Boothroyd) earlier today.