TNAG-0427-FCO40-492-Proposed-constitutional-advancement-of-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 73

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aspirations of the peoples, and to assist them in the progressive development of their free political institutions, according to the particular circumstances of each territory and its peoples and their varying stages of advancement.") The second is the need to ensure that we do not undertake greater responsibilities than we have the power to fulfil.

Possible new members of the Commonwealth

Within these considerations certain of the territories can be dealt with on comparable lines.

Some may still attain full independence, and should be encouraged to seek full membership of the Commonwealth. They include British Honduras, the Bahamas and Fiji. Complete independence should not be unduly hastened in these three cases, and in that of Fiji should only follow & wish clearly expressed by both the major races. There should not be any formal defence guarantee for British Honduras, but the UK should assist forthwith in the creation of a viable defence force.

Associated Statehood

A new, non-colonial, status, that of "Associated Statehood" with the United Kingdom, has been accepted by six Caribbean territories (see AFPENDICES 11 and IV). This position has been reached by mutual agreement between the United kingdom and each of the territories concerned and it can be terminated by either side. The status confers upon each territory full control of its own internal affairs and reserves to the United Kingdom matters of defence and foreign policy. The terri- tories have the power to negotiate local agreements with neighbouring Caribbean countries and have availed themselves of this power to join CARIFTA and the Caribbean Development Bank. They enjoy a comnon judicial service.

Any territory wishing to end Associated Status can unly do so by securing a two-thirds mejority for such a policy in the lower house of its legislature and a similar majority in a referendum. The requirement of a referendum is waived in the case of an Associated State wishing to join a Commonwealth Caribbean State on a unitary, federal or associaten basis. The United Kingdom may terminate Associated Status unilaterally, subject to due notice.

Although the United Nations had declined to accept Associated Status as a termination of colonial status, elsewhere it has been generally welcomed. Locally there has been strong dissatisfaction in Anguilla, and to a much lesser extent in Barbuda, with slight rumblings in Bequia and Carriacou, at control from a neigh- bouring island.

Britain accepted this responsibility for defence and external affairs without any control or influence over the internal security of these states. Doubts have been expressed about the wisdom of accepting defence responsibilities without the means of controlling internal security. It is the most important issue to be examined before any review of Associated Status takes place. The options are:-

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