}
fet
a Cerpr ina! Confta
Accustomed to the
2
by exercise of responsibility for
But we shall not stand in the way of any territory
which wishes to move to independence however
Privately
doubtful we may be of its wisdom.
4.
K
We are always prepared to consider whether
there is any alternative to independence, other
than the present colonial relationship, that might
be appropriate for certain territories which do not
yet desire full independence. We shall judge each
case on its merits. But our preferred policy
objective is to afford our dependencies the simple
choice between independencepr continued dependency.
I acknowledge that there may be territories for
which in the last resort it may be necessary to
contemplate association or integration with the UK or
another country. But such "association" would not
follow the form of relationship provided for under
the 1967 West Indies Act, an arrangement that I
wouldnot wish to repeat.
5.
In furtherance of our general policy
we shall continue to do all that we can to create
conditions in which independence becomes practicable
and locally acceptable. In this context, we shall
continue the steady process of political education: where a territory has made a clear decision tomove
to independence we shall be considerate of the
need for locally elected Ministers to become
familiar with all aspects of the administration
we shall be of the country's government and/ready to consider
and/ready
constitutional changes which are the normal precursors
of full independence.
[/6.
:
D 107991 400,000 7/76 904511