HKG 02511
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7 LO. 51
12 JAN 1981
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179
Written Answers
Overseas Territories (Political Status)
16 DECEMBER 1980
Mr. Michael Brown asked the Lord Privy Seal with which foreign powers he has discussed the future and sovereignty of any of the remaining British colonies, dependencies and associated States.
Mr. Ridley: The question of the future of certain remaining British Dependencies and Associated States has been discussed from time to time with interested foreign Governments.
In the case of Belize, negotiations with Guatemala to resolve the dispute re- opened in May and there have been several meetings since then. In addition there has been widespread international interest in the future of Belize, parti- cularly in the United Nations context, resulting in discussions with several countries.
I met an Argentine delegation for wide-ranging and exploratory talks on the Falkland Islands dispute in April. I reaffirmed that Her Majesty's Govern- ment have ΠΟ doubt about British sovereignty over the Islands. The dis- pute was also one of the issues dis- cussed at the meeting betwen my right hon, and noble Friend and the Argentine Foreign Minister at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
On Gibraltar, my right hon. Friend informed the House on 14 April-[Vol. 982, c. 800-7.]-of the agreement which my right hon. and noble Friend con- cluded with the Spanish Foreign Min- ister in Lisbon on 10 April providing for the restoration of direct communica- tions and the opening of negotiations to overcome all the differences over Gibraltar.
Mr. Michael Brown asked the Lord Privy Seal what consultations he has had with the administrations of the following territories during which the local political leaders were invited to consider the possibility of a change of sovereignty or encouraged to assume full independence: Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Falkland Islands and dependencies, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, the Pitcairn Islands, St. Helena and Ascension, Antigua, Tristan da Cunha, the Cayman Islands,
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Written Answers
Montserrat. St. Kitts, Anguilla, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Mr. Ridley: Her Majesty's Govern- ment's policy with regard to indepen- dence for the remaining territories for which it has responsibility is to respect the wishes of the local inhabitants as expressed through their eiccted leaders. Discussions have recently taken place with local administrations in the follow- ing instances:
Belize
I have had several meetings on this subject during the past year with the Premier of Belize and with representa- tives of the Belizean oppositon. A con- stitutional conference will be called in the near future with the intention of
bringing Belize to early independence. Falkland Islands and Dependencies
I refer my hon. Friend to the state- meni I made on 2 December. [Vol. 995, c. 195.]
Turks and Caicos Islands
Talks were held in November 1979 with the then Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands and moves towards independence by 1982 were agreed in principle. The Government reconsidered their position just prior to the elections of November 1980 in which they were defeated. The present Government have said that they prefer to move more slow- ly towards independence and have not proposed any date.
There has been contact from time to time with the Governments of some of the other Dependent Territories. Of these, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, St. Helena and Tristan da Cunha have expressed no wish for independence. As Ascension Island has no permanent inhabitants it will remain a dependency. Montserrat regards in- dependence as an ultimate goal but has expressed no desire for any early moves in this direction. The Bermuda Govern- ment are keeping the question under review. No discussions have taken place in the case of Gibraltar. Hong Kong and Pitcairn Island.
As regards the West Indies Associated States, the Antiguan Government obtained a mandate for early indepen- dence in the April 1980 elections and a constitutional conference opened in
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London on 4 December to discuss th details with all interested parties. Th St. Kitts-Nevis Government have i dicated that independence remains the long-term goal, though they have n sel a date. The Anguilla Bill to separa Anguilla from the Associated State St. Kitts-Nevis, whereby it would reve to full dependent status, has today r ceived Royal Assent. The Anguil Government have expressed no wish fo an carly move towards independenc though possibilities of constitution adance are under consideration.
Falkland Islands
Mr. Michael Brown asked the Lo Privy Seal what reaction he has ha from interested parties to his rece announcement on the Falkland Island
Mr. Ridley: There has been a wid range of reactions in the United Kin dom following my statement to th House on 2 December on the future the Falkland Islands.-[Vol. 995, 196-204.] My visit to the Islands has als given rise to a good deal of comment Argentina. Those principally concerned the Falkland Islanders themselves, ar still considering the ideas about whic I consulted them. They have unde taken to let me have their reactions due course.
Mr. Wigley asked the Lord Privy Se if Her Majesty's Government intend t hold a referendum amongst the pop lation of the Falkland Islands on th proposals recently made by them on th island's future.
Mr. Ridley: Islanders' views on wha proposals might be further explore through negotiations will be conveye through their elected councillors. An eventual settlement with the Argentine would have to be clearly endorsed by th Islanders, and ultimately by Parliamen The method of seeking endorsement b the Islanders, whether by referendum o general election, would be for decisio at the time in the light of advice from the governor.
Guyana and Nicaragua
Mr. Peter Bottomley asked the Lor Privy Seal if he will list the numbers o British diplomats in, and the population of, Guyana and Nicaragua.
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