TNAG-0006-FCO40-42-Constitutional-development-1968 — Page 20

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CONFIDENTIAL

FIRST DIFT.

5/16

Implications of an Act of Parliament of the

type succcated by Gibraltar Winisters

This note is propared on the assumption that in addition to formal and declaratory provisions, such an Act would provide that the status of Gibraltar Gould

not be altered without the consent of the people of Gibraltar signified through cone appr: priate democratic

process; but that it could not provide for the

oxe ption of Gibraltarians from the Commonweal th

Immigrants Act (which Ministers have already decided against). The note is also drafted on the assumption that the Law Officers do not raise any objection to the Act on legal grounds; for this reason the note

cannot be put into final form until the Law Officers'

reply to the questions now being put to them is

received.

2. The implications of an Act of this type can be considered under the following four heads.

(a) Relations with fozin.

(b)

Relations with the U.N.

(0)

(A first draft of these two sections is being

prepared by the Foreign Office.)

Relations with Gibraltar.

The Act would undoubtedly be very popular in

Gibraltar.

It should for the time being substantially

satisfy those in Gibraltar (and their friends in Parliament) who are clamouring for further assurances;

/though