Mr Champion (Gibraltar & General Dept
-
W 82)
THE FUTURE OF DEPENDENT TERITORIES
1.
You have done a useful job in clearing away some of the trees to expose the wood! (but I do think it is difficult to discuss alternative policies in a sort of complete financial vacuum: we need at least some estimate of the costs involved in the mainten- ance of present policies, even if these oosts are limited to aid costs.)
2.
Constitutional Policy
Para 3, line 12: To make it clear that political choices also involve costs, substitute the following after 'independence'
"The main costs are political and the choice therefore rests ...
3. Economic Aid Policy
Para 6: There are differences of view asto whether this is our present policy in all cases.
4.
Para 7, line 5: Delete 'in depth'.
line 6: For 'definition' substitute formulation'.
Para 7, (end): Add 2 sentences to bring up-to-date -
(i)
"The analysis and conclusions reached in these studies would be incorporated in a new set of Country Folicy Papers for the dependencies and Associated States."
(ii) "In any review of the global aid framework leading
to changes in aid strategy, sufficient flexibility should be retained with respect to aid to the depen- dencies to ensure that policies formulated following these surveys can be put into effect."
Background
Para 7, line 10: Insert after independence '(and probably largely explain any lack of local enthusiasm for it)'.
5. Separate Independence
Para 10, line 4: Substitute "viable politically and econo- mically".
•
Fara 11, line 10: For "self-sufficient" substitute "viable".
#t
Para 10, General: I agree with Mr Preston's views on the need for recasting. Leaving aside Bermuda where the country(or the party in power) is doing nicely under present arrangements one of the most powerful stimuli to the desire for political
/independence
: