The Government of National Unity was charged with the task of prepar-
ing an independence constitution. Aided by a broadly-based constitutional
committee, they achieved this aim in September 1979. British and French
Ministers visited Vila from 17 to 19 September for a constitutional con-
ference during which the text of the Constitution was approved, and the
date of 14 November 1979 announced for fresh elections to the
Representative Assembly. The new Government formed as a result of these
elections will lead the country to independence in 1980.
5. It is for the New Hebrides Government to decide whether to apply, for
Commonwealth membership. But political leaders in the territory have
previously expressed an interest in doing so, and both the advantages of
Commonwealth membership and the procedures for application have been
explained to them in some detail.