(17259) Dd.897459 250m 12/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863
(6941) Dd.897300 250m 9/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863
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is economically viable and already has an advanced constitution and a ministerial form of government), and, although not economically viable, also the BSIP and the Gilbert Islands (with or without the Ellice Islands, which may separate) where ministerial constitutions are now being introduced, could now follow the conventional road to sovereign independence.
7. The problem of the "micro-state" in the modern world is regularly discussed in UN and academic fora, but the lack of substantial population has not in itself in the past prevented small states from achieving independence (eg Nauru, with a population of 7,000); and lack of economic resources has not always been regarded as a bar to independence, (as in the case of Malawi and the former High Commission territories in Southern Africa) But these constraints might inhibit advance to separate independence for at least some of the remaining territories listed under c. above. (Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Pitcairn Islands Group, and Tristan da Cunha). It is the future of these territories which
presents the most difficult questions for British policy.
Present Policies
8. In recent years because of diversity of the dependent territories and the difficulty of formulating specific long term objectives, within the framework of the general principles described in paragraph 4 above standards of day-to-day administration have tended to become ends in themselves. We have tried to provide the dependent territories with security and political stability, and with efficient and honest government, and to help their inhabitants to achieve rates of economic development and standards of social welfare at least comparable with those accepted in neighbouring countries in the region. Our aid policies have been designed, where practicable, to enable them to achieve a level of economic viability and self-sustaining growth which they have some prospects of maintaining. In this context the "reasonable needs" of dependent territories have always been recognised as a first charge on our aid funds. Wherever possible we have tried to encourage the emergence
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