HKG 025/1
51
REFERENCE: QUESTION BY THE EUROPEAN DEMOCRATIC GROUP
No
BBR
The names of the remaining British colonies, and the current state of their constitutional development, i.e. which want independence and what other status they aspire to. It should also state, if possible, which colonies of other member states still exist.
NAMES OF THE REMAINING UK DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
Anguilla
Belize
Bermuda
British Antarctic Territory
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Falkland Islands and Dependencies Gibraltar
Hong Kong
Montserrat
Pitcairn, Ducie, Oeno and Henderson
St Helena and Dependencies
Turks and Caicos Islands
CURRENT STATE OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Anguilla: Currently part of the Associated State of St Kitts/Nevis/ Anguilla, but will be formally separated at the end of 1980 and will revert to dependent territory status. Independence not an issue at present; some modest constitutional advance expected later this year.
Belize: Internal self-government since 1964 but Governor responsible for external affairs, defence, internal security and the public service. Independence hampered by Guatemala's claim to Belize. Negotiations are in train; their content is confidential. Belizean independence, based on a negotiated settlement of the dispute, is the best possible all-round solution; but independence cannot be delayed indefinitely.
Bermuda: Constitution very advanced although short of internal self- government; Governor retains standard reserved powers. 1979 White Paper concluded independence not the wish of most Bermudians; unlikely to be an issue at next election due before May 1981.
British Antarctic Territory: No indigenous population. BAT is administered by a High Commissioner resident in the Falkland Islands.
British Indian Ocean Territory: No permanent population. Former plantation workers, who were semi-migrants, moved to Mauritius;
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