§ Lord BROCKWAYasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the conclusions of the discussions held in Paris and London for ending the joint administration of the New Hebrides by France and the United Kingdom and for the establishment of an independent republic.
§ Lord CARRINGTONMy honourable friend the Minister of State, Mr. Peter Blaker, and his French counterpart, M. Dijoud, met Father Lini, the New Hebrides Chief Minister, in Paris on 8th January. They reaffirmed their support for Father Lini's government, and agreed to establish a joint security committee to monitor security problems in the territory. Father Lini continued to London for preliminary aid discussions. An independence date has not been fixed, but it is expected in the period May-July 1980.