asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, upon the dissolution of the Federation of the West Indies, he will recommend the appointment of a Commissioner-General for the West Indies with powers and responsibilities similar to those of the present Commissioner-General for South-East Asia.

No, Sir.

Will my hon. Friend at least not have a wholly closed mind on this subject, and will he agree that there are dangers in the growing spirit of separatism in the Caribbean area? Has not our Commissioner-General for South-East Asia shown that a senior and distinguished British representative in a crucial area can play a valuable rôle in co-ordinating the activities of our Ambassadors in foreign countries, our High Commissioners in Commonwealth countries and our Governors in Colonies?

I quite agree with what my hon. Friend has said about our Commissioner-General in South-East Asia, but I think that the comparisons he makes are not precisely similar. I will bear in mind what he said, because I think that it is vital to do all possible to assist the co-ordination of West Indian interests, but I think that the system he suggests is probably not the most apt for the actual situation.