St. Lucia

HC Deb 15 November 1978 vol 958 cc236-7W

Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he has not insisted on the operation of the referendum provisions in the West Indies Act 1967 before taking steps to terminate the association between St. Lucia and the United Kingdom.

Mr. Rowlands

Section 10(2) of the West Indies Act provides for the termination of association by Order in Council without a referendum. The British Government are considering the request of the St. Lucia Government which was approved on 24th October by the St. Lucia House of Assembly without a division to terminate the status of association by this procedure.

Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what date has been proposed to him by the Government of St. Lucia for the independence of that State: and what consultation, if any, he has had on the date with the official opposition in St. Lucia.

Mr. Rowlands

The Premier of St. Lucia has proposed that St. Lucia should move to independence by Order in Council on 13th December. The British Government have made it clear to the Premier and to the St. Lucia Opposition that they are considering whether to recommend to Parliament that association should be terminated and that meanwhile no commitment can be made on a date for independence.

Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the contents of the document "Report on events subsequent to the St. Lucia constitutional conference held in London in July 1978" prepared by the St. Lucia Labour Party, he will make a statement on the proceedings in the St. Lucia Parliament on the draft St. Lucia Constitution Order.

Mr. Rowlands

On 24th October the St. Lucia House of Assembly passed without a division a resolution requesting the termination of the status of association by Order of Her Majesty in Council. The British Government are considering their response to this request in the light of all the circumstances, including the proceedings in the House of Assembly.