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Argentina. The islanders resist the Argentine claim to sovereignty; want to remain British. No pressure for independence.
Gibraltar (Population 31,760)
9. Ministerial system of government; Governor has usual reserved powers. Independence blocked for political reasons (Article 10 of the Treaty of Utrecht: if Gibraltar ceases to be a United Kingdom dependency, Spain has first claim on territory). 1967 Referendum confirmed overwhelmingly Gibraltarians' wish to retain United Kingdom connections.
Montserrat (Population 12,500)
10.
Constitutionally advanced; very few powers remain to Governor. A Ministerial system of Government. No indications
· of wish to proceed to independence in foreseeable future but this could change.
St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha) (Population 6,450)
11. Backward constitutionally. Governor has full powers; advised by Legislative and Executive Councils. Administrators on Tristan da Cunha and Ascension, with equally full powers, are responsible to the Governor of St Helena. Independence impracticable for St Helena; attempts being made to stimulate economy. Not feasible for Tristan da Cunha either although relatively prosperous. Ascension has no indigenous population.
Turks and Caicos Islands (Population 6,500)
12. A Ministerial system of Government; Governor retains usual reserved powers. New Government elected in November 1980 supports independence in due course but gives immediate priority to
economic development.
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