..In Confidence
DRAFT
To:-
CONFIDENTIAL
*
Type 1 +
From
Telephone No. Ext.
Department
REVIEW OF POLICY ON ACCELERATED DECOLONISATION
DSR11
I.We derive no benigit from our responsibilities for WIAS and
Dependent Territories. They are a net liability to us. We
provide a high level of aid in per caput terms and we risk
political embarrassment on defence expenditure
behalf. Trade and investment benifit to us is negligible.
2. Ministers
on their
inisfers last examined policy towards Dependent
Territories in early 1975. Their decision was that the policy
of the UK Governments to encourage those of our remaining
Dependendt Territories that are aapable of sustaining
independence to proceed towards their that goal at a pace that
•
accords with their interests and wishes.
3. The present position regarding independence for the WIAS
and Dependent Territories is:-
(List of WIAS and DTS attached at Flag A)
West Indies Associated States.
Independence date ·
Antigua
Dominica
No interest in complete independence. Unforeseeable
of 1978
Pressure for independence rising.
First half
St Kitta- Nevis- Anguilla
St Lucia
Probably before 1980
Further discussion likely in 1978.
Before end of
1978
St Vincent
Government committed to Independence Before end of
1980
by 1979
CONFIDENTIAL
Dependent/
Dd 108087 400M S&K 1/77