21
PITCAIRN GROUP OF ISLANDS
RESTRICTED
1.
The islanders have not expressed any desire for independence and the Island Council made the following unanimous
declaration in June 1968:
"Having noted the discussions which had taken place
from time to time in the United Nations Committee on
Colonialism about the future status of the remaining
smaller Colonial territories; and having also noted
that the British Colony of the Pitcairn Islands is one
of the territories considered by the Committee, the
Pitcairn Island Council declares that it has no present
wish to seek to change the nature of the relationship
between the Government and people of Pitcairn and the Government of the United Kingdom but if, at any time,
change should be desirable the Council has full
confidence that this can and will be negotiated
satisfactorily by free agreements between those whose
sole concern it is. The Council further declares that
independent statehood would be administratively and economically impracticable for the small isolated island community of Pitcairn."
The declaration has not been rescinded nor has the Island
Council expressed any wish for a change in status. In the
opinion of Her Majesty's Governmet it still accurately reflects
the views of the people of Pitcairn.
Aid
2.
Aid is provided on an ad hoc basis in response to requests from the Island Council.
RESTRICTED