MONTSERRAT
Capital Aid
1981/82
TC
£601,000
Total
222,000 823,000
1. Very advanced form of Ministerial Government, with Governor retaining fewer reserve powers than, eg in the BVI. The island ceased to be grant-aided at the end of 1980 and the present Government wishes to build up a sound economy before considering independence, though independence could well become an election issue in the next few years. The economy is based on agriculture (including a revival of the cotton industry), light industries and some tourism. Unlike other Caribbean dependencies, Montserrat is (or is about to become) a member of The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and plays a larger part in regional affairs than do the other dependencies.
West Indian and Atlantic Department February 1981
4.
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