BEA DA
Constitutional ftatus
Bermuda (population 57,000 of whom roughly two thirds are coloured) is a dependency under the Crown and, except for the Governor's responsibility for external affairs, defence, internal security and the police, has had virtual internal self government since 1968, with a ministerial system of government since 1973. There is a House of Assembly consisting of 40 members elected by universal adult suffrage and a Legislative Council consisting of eleven nominated members, five of whom are appointed at the Governor's discretion, four on the advice of the Fremier, and two
on the advice of the Opposition Leader.
Political
The multi-racial United Bermuda Party led by Mr David Gibbons, who succeeded Sir John Sharpe as Premier in August 1977, was formed in 1964 and has been in Government continuously since 1968. It holds 25 of the 40 seats in the House of Assembly. The others are held by the (predominantly) black) Progressive Labour Party led by Mrs Lois Browne-Evans, which came into being in 1963 and now forms the Opposition.
Lconomic
Tourism is Bermuda's major industry and the whole economy is geared to it. The 560,000 visitors in 1976 contributed about £100 million to the economy. The other major contributor to Bermuda's prosperity is off-shore investment. Manufacturing industries are small: they include boat yards, pharmaceuticals, beauty preparations, furniture and concentrated essences. UK exports to Bermuda in 1976 amounted to 14.4 million: imports were valued at 3.6 million. Bermuda receives no official aid from the UK although some technical assistance is occasionally provided on
payment.
Per capita income in Bermuda was over US$ 7,000 in 1976, unemployment was running at 11% in 1977 and the annual rate of inflation at about 43%. The disturbances last December had an adverse effect on the figures for tourism and led to an increase in unémppoyment.walow that calm has returned, there are signs of a revival of international confidence in Bermuda's prospects for
2.