HC Deb 25 May 1965 vol 713 cc61-2W
Mr. Rowland

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made towards the creation of an Eastern Caribbean Federation.

Mr. Greenwood

In a dispatch of 22nd March I gave the seven Governments my views on their draft Federal Scheme and expressed the hope that when the Regional Council of Ministers had considered the matter further at their April meeting in the light of my dispatch it would be agreeable to them to attend a Conference in London starting on 1st July.

The Council met on 26th April. The Government of Antigua took no part in the discussion of federation. The Council adjourned on 29th April without completing their deliberations and without fixing a date for resumption. The Government of Barbados have announced that they wish to have the benefit of the views of the Barbados Parliament before entering into further discussions with the terri- tories concerned. They propose to publish a White Paper early in June which would be debated before the end of the month. I hope that the Regional Council of Ministers may be reconvened shortly after.