§ Mr. Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what negotiations are in hand concerning the termination of Britain's protective rôle in the Maldive Islands.
§ Mr. TilneyWhen my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was in the Maldives in September, the Maldivian Prime Minister expressed the desire that the Maldive Islands should become a fully independent, sovereign state, on the understanding that the Agreement between the British and Maldivian Governments, by which we are afforded facilities in Addu Atoll, would be confirmed and that no defence facilities would be accorded in the Maldives to any other country. My right hon. Friend assured Mr. Nasir that the British Government would give his proposals sympathetic consideration. We are now doing so.