HC Deb 04 August 1975 vol 897 cc66-7W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further negotiations he has had with the French Government about the New Hebrides; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rowlands

I held talks about the New Hebrides in Paris on 11th July with M. Olivier Stirn, French Secretary of State for the Overseas Departments and Territories. We jointly approved the provisions for setting up the Representative Assembly, and an Exchange of Notes will take place shortly. The elections for the Assembly will be held during the first two weeks of November. Agreement was reached on a number of other topics, and I am arranging for copies of the communiqué issued after the talks to be placed in the Library.