HC Deb 06 November 1978 vol 957 c70W
Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about the constitutional future of St. Lucia.

Mr. Rowlands

A draft constitution based on the findings of the constitutional conference in July, and a request for its promulgation and for the termination of association by Order in Council, have been formally approved in the St. Lucia House of Assembly. The British Government are now considering their response.

Mr. Parker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will insist that the provision of the Constitution of St. Lucia by which a two-thirds majority in the House of Assembly followed by a two-thirds majority in a referendum is required before the present association of St. Lucia with Great Britain is terminated, be invoked.

Mr. Rowlands

The West Indies Act provides that association can be terminated either by the Government of St. Lucia, subject to the conditions described, or, with the approval of Parliament, by Order of Her Majesty in Council. The latter method was recently used for Dominica, and a request for its use for St. Lucia is now under consideration.