WEST INDIES ASSOCIATED STATES
Constitution
Under the West Indies Act, 1967, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia and Grenada assumed a status of Association with the United Kingdom in February and March; 1967. St. Vincent assumed the same status in October, 1969. The constitutions of each State are set out in separate Statutory Instruments made by Order in Council under Section 5 of the West Indies Act.
Responsibilities of Her Majesty's Government
2.
By virtue of Section 2 of the Act, Her Majesty's Govern- ment's responsibilities are limited to matters relating to:-
a)
defence
b)
external affairs
c)
3.
citizenship
a) the succession to the Throne and the Royal style
and titles.
The extent of Her Majesty's Government's power to make laws for a West Indies Associated State without its consent is restricted by Section 3 of the Act to the same matters.
Termination of the status of Association with the United Kingdom
4. Under Section 10 of the Act, the. State of Association may be terminated by either side: by the U.K. Government by Order in Council, or by the State legislature by legislation which must be supported by the votes of not less than two- thirds of all the elected members in the State legislature (in both Houses where an Upper House exists) and also by two-thirds of the votes cast by the electorate in a State referendum.
The Governor
5. The Governor of an Associated State is normally a local person appointed by Her Majesty as Head of State to be Her Representative. He/She normally acts in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet of the Associated State concerned.
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