§ Mrs. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the outcome of the resumed Seychelles Constitutional Conference.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe conference ended successfully on 22nd January and a White Paper will be published soon. As desired by the Seychelles delegation, the conference recommended that Seychelles should become independent at midnight on 28th June with a republican form of constitution under an executive President. Full account was taken of the recommendations of the Seychelles Electoral Review Commission on the size and composition of the legislature and the system of elections. The conference also agreed to recommend the transfer of Aldabra, Desroches and Farquhar to Seychelles sovereignty on agreed conditions requiring further clarification at a meeting to be held shortly. Her Majesty's Government look forward to continuing friendly ties with an independent Seychelles as a fellow member of the Commonwealth.