HC Deb 17 April 1958 vol 586 cc35-6W
58. Mr. P. Williams

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement on the constitutional position in the Maldives.

Mr. Alport

The Maldive Islands are a Sultanate and have been under the protection of the Crown since 1887. Their present relationship with the United Kingdom is regulated by an Agreement signed in 1953, the text of which I am circulating below in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Under this agreement the United Kingdom Government are bound to protect the islands from hostile attack and Maldivian external relations are conducted by the United Kingdom or in accordance with their advice. The United Kingdom Government also have the right after consultation with the Maldivian Government to such facilities for Her Majesty's forces as they may determine to be required for the defence of the Maldives or of any part of the Commonwealth, and the Maldivian Government are pledged to afford every assistance. The Agreement provides that the United Kingdom Government shall refrain from interference in Maldivian internal affairs.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE MALDIVE ISLANDS.

Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Maldive Islands.

Considering that by letters of the 16th and 23rd December. 1887, exchanged between the Governor of Ceylon on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Victoria and His Highness the Sultan of the Maldive Islands, an agreement was made for the protection of the Maldive Islands by Her Majesty, that provision was made for the continued protection of the Maldive Islands by His Majesty King George the Sixth by an agreement signed at Male on the 24th April. 1948, between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and His Highness the Sultan of the Maldive Islands, and that by a constitution made by the will of the people of the Maldive Islands, which came into operation on the 1st January, 1953, the Maldive Islands have become a Republic.

Desiring to enter into a new agreement for the protection of the Maldive Islands.

Have agreed as follows:—

  1. 1. The Maldive Islands shall continue under the protection of Her Majesty; and Her Majesty's Government, in the United Kingdom shall at all times to the utmost of their power take whatever steps may be necessary to protect the Islands from hostile attack.
  2. 2. Relations between the Government of the Maldive Islands and Her Majesty's Government shall be conducted through the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in Ceylon unless some other arrangement is at any time made by Her Majesty's Government in agreement with the Government of the Maldive Islands.
  3. 3. Relations between the Government of the Maldive Islands and other countries shall he conducted by Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom or in accordance with their advice: and Her Majesty's Government shall, so far as is compatible with their other obligations and interests, support the interests of the Maldive Islands in any negotiations directed towards the furtherance of their trade or commerce.
  4. 4. Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom shall have the right to establish and maintain in the Maldive Islands such facilities for Her Majesty's Forces as Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom may after consultation with the Government of the Maldive Islands determine to he required for the defence of the Maldive Islands or of any part of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Government of the Maldive Islands shall afford every assistance to this end.
  5. 5. Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom shall refrain as heretofore from any interference in the internal affairs of the Maldive Islands.
  6. 6. This agreement replaces the aforesaid agreement between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and His Highness the Sultan of the Maldive Islands which was signed at Male on the 24th April. 1948.

In witness whereof the undersigned. being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Agreement Done in duplicate at Male the 1st day of January, 1953.

for Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

C. G. L. SYERS.

For the Government of the Maldive Islands.

AMIR AMIN DIDI[...]