asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the representations the British High Commissioner has made to the Indian Government on the tension with the Portuguese authorities regarding the future of Goa.

Her Majesty's Government are gravely concerned at the state of tension now unfortunately existing between a Member country of the Commonwealth and one of their allies, and at recent reports suggesting that hostilities might be imminent. Her Majesty's Government have expressed to the Government of India their earnest hope that there will be no resort to force over Goa, which would come as a great shock to the world and inevitably have most serious international repercussions. They have similarly expressed to the Portuguese Government their hope that they will exercise restraint and avoid gestures which might be interpreted as provocative.