NOTES ON DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
FALKLAND ISLANDS AND DEPENDENCIES
GIBRALTAR
دیگه
Present Constitution and Prospects for Independence
The Governor is advised by an Executive Council and there is a Legislative Council which, in accordance with recent constitutional changes will in future have an, elected unofficial majority. The Governor can act contrary to the advice of his Executive Council and he has the right to legislate by declaration, but either course could provoke a constitutional crisis. There is no demand for independence. There are no political parties and all classes are united by a desire to remain British. But the British Government's long term interest lies in a settlement of the sovereignty dispute with Argentina.
No change has been made in the Ministerial form of Government introduced in 1969 in the context of the Spanish claim to sovereignty. External affairs, Defence and Internal Security are reserved to the Governor together with the right to intervene in financial, economic and other matters. In practice he has consulted Ministers on most issues.
Independence is not an option since, under the Treat of Utrecht, Spain must be given first refusal if Britain should give up sovereignty. The Spanish border remains closed but the Spanish Government are coming to appreciate the necessity, if any sort of settlement is ultimately to he reached, for the removal of restrictions, and winning the confidence of the Gibraltarian people in respect of whom the British Government is pledged not to agree to any transfer of sovereignty contrary to their freely expressed wishes. Progress is likely to be slow owing to the constraints of the internal political situations in Spain and Gibraltar.
GILBERT ISLANDS
HONG KONG
MONTSERRAT
NEW HEBRIDES
Internal self-
Ministerial Constitution introduced 1974. government 1 January 1977. Independence Conference to follow general election in 1977/78.
No constitutional progress is possible and independence is not an option.
Advanced Ministerial Constitution in force since 1960. The people show no desire for independence and a Visiting UN Mission
Their was assured in 1975 that they were happy as they were. Membership of CARICOM and of the Associated State Council of Ministers may spur them by example.
Anglo-French Condominium, Constitutional development had been at a standstill, until Anglo/French agreement in November 1974 to establish a Representative Assembly, with wide responsibilities, elected by
At inaugural universal suffrage. Elections held in November 1975. meeting of Assembly in June 1976 joint ministerial statement publicly affirmed our policy of self-determination. Independence has been promised for 1980 Elections are due to be held in November. Provisional local authorities, the nucleus of a new single administration and a joint office to discharge Franco-British responsibilities are to be set up before the end of the year. measure of self-government will be inaugurated early in 1978.
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A wide
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