I think that the right hon. Gentleman is failing to understand the facts. This has been a feature of questions from the Opposition over the past couple of weeks.

The French gendarmerie are based in New Caledonia, which is right next door to the New Hebrides. The French Government believe that the situation in Vila, which is where the gendarmes went, is now stable, and I share that view. If the gendarmes are required again, they can be sent back to Vila within three hours.

That is not the position with us. We are a long way away. We do not have a neighbouring dependent territory, as the French have.

As for the problem of running the condominium, as the right hon. Gentleman will understand if he reflects for a moment, this is a more difficult problem than that of running a colony where only one metropolitan power is responsible. Naturally, the two metropolitan powers tend to have different perceptions of the situation on the ground because of the circumstances, but we are resolved to work together to produce a peaceful solution. That is what counts.