§ Mr. Lathamasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the results of his Department in achieving the policy programme which he set it on assuming office.
§ Sir Ian GilmourWe set out in May 1979 to restore confidence in Britain as a country determined to play a full part, with its partners and allies, in shaping world events; and have I believe met with considerable success.
The birth of Zimbabwe represents the achievement of the declared Conservative aim, in the party's 1979 manifesto, of
a lasting settlement to the Rhodesia problem based on the democratic wishes of the people of that country".We have resolved the inequitable British contribution to the European Community budget and our partners in Europe can no longed doubt Britain's long-term commitment to the development and success of the Community. We have confirmed the central importance to Britain of our relations with the United States. We have given particular priority to the strengthening, not only of Britain's defences, but of Western defence as a whole. We have undertaken a review of our aid programme, the results of which have already been announced to the House. We have 553W further developed Commonwealth relations; and we have made substantial progress on a number of other fronts.
No one could be satisfied with the course of world events over a year which has seen, for example, the continued Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia; the holding of American diplomatic hostages in Iran; continuing tension in the Middle East; and, above all, the invasion of Afghanistan by, and continued presence of, the Soviet Army. It has therefore been a time of particular international tension.
Anguilla … … … … 6,500 Belize … … … … 140,000 British Antarctic Territory … . … … No Indigenous Population British Indian Ocean Territory … … .. … No Indigenous Population British Virgin Islands … … … … 11,000 Cayman Islands … … … … 17,340 Falklands Islands and Dependencies … … … … 1,930 Gibraltar … … … … 31,760 Hong Kong … … … … 5,017,000 Montserrat … … … … 12,500 New Hebrides … … … … 112.500 Pitcairn … … … … 65 St. Helena … … … … 5,000 (Ascension) … … … … (1,150) (Tristan Da Cunha) … … … … (300) Turks and Caicos Islands … … … … 6,500
§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list in the Official Report (a) the system of government which exists in each of the remaining United Kingdom dependent territories and (b) the system of local government which exists in the same territories.
§ Mr. BlakerThe information requested by the hon. Member has been placed in the Library of the House ; it summarises the system of central government, and of local administrations where applicable, in each of the remaining dependent territories, with the exception of the Anglo-French Condominium of the New Hebrides which is due to become independent on 30 July 1980.