J
6.
On a point of detail, may I say that I am doubtful about the reference, in paragraph 11(vii) of the "paper by officials", to dependent status becoming barely distinguishable from Associated Statehood. I would suggest that the present constitution of Bermuda is probably about as far as we are likely to go in any territory until independence is actually in sight; is certainly distinguishable from Associated Statehood; in fact the Bermudians were told by Ministers of the previous Administration that they were not prepared to make Bermuda an Associated State.
7.
To sum up:
(a) I question the need to go to DOPC
at this stage; and
(b)
:)
this
I think that many of the "territorial ,papers may well come to the conclusion-
that there is very little scope for action by HMG to accelerate decolonisation, but we cannot be sure until we have tried to write them.
4 December, 1974.
RESTRICTED
MP: Prestu
M. P. Preston Caribbean Department
J