TNAG-0427-FCO40-492-Proposed-constitutional-advancement-of-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 78

7

Government in charge of foreign affairs, internal security and defence.

(a) Maintenance of the status quo, which would retain the present

Gibraltar Council and Gibraltar House of Assembly, with a Council of Ministers excercising limited internal self-government and receiving grants-in-aid. This is expensive to Britain and gives no permanent guarantee on Gibraltur's future.

The choice seems to lie between (b) (c) and (d). Perhaps the first step should

be the convening of a Round Table Conference, to consult and consider the wishes

of the people of ibraltar. This could then result in the creation of an unbreakable

relationship with Great Britain somewhat between that at present enjoyed by the

Associated States in the Caribbean and that of the Channel Islands and the Isle of

Man.

21.

No constitutional changes are recommended in respect of the Falkland

Islands, St. Helena or Pitcairn.

The Gulf states

There is no reason to recommend alterations in the present relationship between

Britain and the Gulf States, unless and until they themselves make a reality of the

proposed Federation, with or without Bahrain. If this occurs, then Britain will

clearly have to consider what changes should be made in the Treaties in question.

is not possible now to suggest what these changes should be.

CONCLUSION

It

There can be no blueprint for universal application to the remaining dependent

territories. Some may yet proceed to full independence and sovereignty, probably

within the Commonwealth, but the majority seem destined to remain for some time in some degree dependent on the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is at present responsible for the future progress of all these territories. She cannut abdicate this responsibility. It is doubtful if she can share it in any major degree, even

with other members of the Commonwealth, although closer Canadian interest in and

partnership with the Caribbean territories, especially in the economic sphere, should be encouraged and further examination should be given to the possibility of Australia

and New Zealand undertaking responsibilities in the Pacific Ocean compatible with

their own interest. There should be nu undue haste to discard British responsibi-

lities; much less should there be any attempt directly or indirectly, to hand them

over to any international agency.

#

}