§ Mr. Bowen Wellsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why Her majesty's Government have refused to enter into a defence treaty with the English-speaking nations of the Caribbean; and, if asked to do so now, possibly in company with other nations, if Her Majesty's Government will seriously consider doing so.
§ Mr. LuceOur policy is to relinquish formal defence commitments towards dependent territories when they achieve independence. British forces have, however, remained in Belize in accordance with an agreement with the Government there. Subject to other commitments and the resources available the Government also consider sympathetically requests for assistance in the training and development of security forces of Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean. Separately, the question of the security of small states is now being studied in the Commonwealth context.