TNAG-0926-FCO40-1144-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 28

11 December 1980

C

Mr Michael Brown (Brigg and Scunthorpe):

To ask 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.

No 164W

MR NICHOLAS 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 reopened in May and there have been several meetings since then. In addition there has been widespread international interest in the future of Belize, narticularly 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. reaffirmed that Her Majesty's Government have no doubts about British sovereignty over the Islands. The dispute was also one of the issues discussed at the meeting between my right honourable and noble Friend and the Argentine Foreign Minister at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

I

/On Gibraltar.