asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the present situation in Belize; whether external threats continue against the integrity of this British colony and what special assistance has been given by Her Majesty's Government following the recent hurricane.

We continue to seek a negotiated settlement to the dispute with Guatemala over Belize and my right hon. Friend put forward to the new Guatemalan Foreign Minister in late September proposals designed to speed up the process of negotiation and bring the controversy to an end.Her Majesty's Government provided assistance to the value of £99,000 immediately following the hurricane. A team of ODM officials is in Belize this week to discuss what further aid is needed.