H
8/1.
From :
1
His Excellency The Hon 'Sir Peter Ramsbotham, GCMG, GCVO
Government House HKG 025/1
Bermuda
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIALX
R J Stratton Esq, CMG
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW 1
Dear Dick
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کیا
18 FEB 1980
bruar
20.51
REGISTRY Action Taken
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M. CHA, HK+GD.
Mr Bridg Food
these seem reasonablert
POLICY TOWARDS THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES enough points.
$1872
I was interested to read your letter of 1 February and
the memorandum which you sent with it.
1572
2.
I agree that there is no reason why that memorandum should not have a wider circulation. Indeed, there would be some advantage in making the United Kingdom's basic policy clear to Bermuda Ministers, and to the local Legislature. This should gently foster the growing belief that Independence is "inevitable", and give a further helpful nudge in that direction.
3.
I have one comment on a point of detail. Paragraph 2 of the memorandum says that the British Government, through the Governor, must retain overall responsibility for (amongst other things) "the administration of the public service". In Bermuda, the Public Service Commission has been responsible for this matter since 1968; although its members are still appointed in my dis- cretion, after the Premier and the Opposition Leader have been consulted. The attention of some people here might focus on this minor inaccuracy, which could even discredit the rest of the mem- orandum. That would be a pity. So I suggest that an amendment be made, to reflect the true position. One possibility is to add the words "or given to local Public Service Commissions" at the end of paragraph 3.
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
Holmes,
1. Copy (Personal) to Nor B. Hdings, WAD ~ 2. By I mo pse.
NORED CNS18.2°
18/2
25
11 & 3
Noted ..12/ BU again I'm