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1263
Oral AnswerS
18 FEBRUARY 1976
Mr. Tugendhat: Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the Governor and the whole of the Hong Kong Govern- ment recognise the need to associate the people of the colony as closely as pos- sible within the framework of govern- ment? Does he not agree that they have done magnificent work in building up substitutes for democracy by neighbour- hood councils and so on? It is Com- munist China more than anything else which makes progress difficult.
Mr. Ennals: It has to be recognised that Hong Kong's geographical and con- stitutional position-and it is obviously not moving towards independence-create problems which are almost unique. We have great confidence in the Governor and those who advise him.
Spain
2. Mr. Grylls asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet the Spanish Foreign Minister.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. James Callaghan): On 2nd March in London.
Mr. Grylls: When the right hon. Gentleman meets the Spanish Foreign Minister again, will be give him some encouragement and sympathetic under- standing of Spain's desire to join the EEC and to the possibility of Spain's joining NATO---although admittedly that is in the future? Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the steps taken to- wards democracy in Spain are important, but must be encouraged and allowed to proceed at their own pace?
Mr. Callaghan: I certainly agree that the Spanish Government should be en- couraged in their plans for liberalisation, particularly in relation to the introduction of such rights as universal suffrage and free collective bargaining. It will be interesting for me to hear the views of the Spanish Foreign Minister on these matters, and that will help me to deter- mine what the view of Her Majesty's Gov- ernment should be in relation to both the EEC and NATO.
Mr. Dalyell: Is my right hon. Friend in a position to say anything about con- tracts with Socialist parties in Spain?
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Orul Answers
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Mr. Callaghan : ï had contact with the Socialist parties in Spain in my capacity as Treasurer of the Labour Party when I went to Copenhagen recently for the con- ference of Socialist leaders. I was very encouraged by what they had to say and by their desire to change the framework, but to work within it without violence.
Sir A. Meyer: Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that it is he and not the Secretary of State for Employment who is responsible for our relations with Spain?
hon. Friend, whose record on behalf of Mr. Callaghan: Yes, Sir. My right freedom in Spain is well known and
stands in marked contrast to that of the defenders of Franco Spain on the Benches opposite, consulted me before he made his speech, and I was very happy for him to say what he said.
British Caribbean Territories
3. Mr. Lane asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Comme...wealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress of British Cauibbean territories towards independence.
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Edward Rowlands): Constitutional advances have been or are being intro- duced in Montserrat, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos. The Premiers of the West Indies Associ- ated States recently agreed amongst them- selves that they should seek full indepen- dence at an early date. Preliminary dis- cussions on this are now taking place with the Premiers.
Mr. Lane: Would not the hon. Gentle- man agree that it may be wise make haste slowly in giving indepenance to some of the smaller islands if these terri- tories are to have the best chance of poli- tical and economic prosperity after independence?
Mr. Rowlands: We shall proceed at the pace at which the islands themselves wish to proceed.
Mr. Marten: What is the precise posi- tion about Anguilla these days?
Mr. Rowlands: The Anguilla constitu- tion is now in force. If there are any further discussions about independence
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