§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest round of talks in Washington with representatives of the Government of Guatemala on the future of Belize; if he will indicate the part which has been played by representatives of the United States Administration in the talks; if the United States now accepts the principle of the territorial integrity of the country; and if he will indicate any progress made towards a solution of the dispute.
§ Mr. LuardThe text of the statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting in Washington has been placed in the Library of the House. My hon. Friend the Minister of State had separate talks with the United States Government, who have taken a consistently helpful attitude towards our efforts to bring Belize to independence in conditions of peace and stability.
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§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Mr. Dean Lindo, leader of the main opposition party in Belize, has been kept informed of developments in the discussions with Guatemala about proposals for a settlement of the dispute about the future of Belize.
§ Mr. LuardThe leader of the opposition in Belize attended the last round of negotiations in July 1977. Only the Premier, leader of the elected Government of Belize, has been kept fully informed of the subsequent confidential discussions.