TNAG-0429-FCO40-494-Programme-Analysis-and-Review-(PAR)-Future-of-Dependent-Terr-1974 — Page 17

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6.

On a point of detail, may I say that I am doubtful about the reference, in paragraph 11(vii) of the "paper by officials", to dependent status becoming barely distinguishable from Associated Statehood. I would suggest that the present constitution of Bermuda is probably about as far as we are likely to go in any territory until independence is actually in sight; is certainly distinguishable from Associated Statehood; in fact the Bermudians were told by Ministers of the previous Administration that they were not prepared to make Bermuda an Associated State.

7.

To sum up:

(a) I question the need to go to DOPC

at this stage; and

(b)

:)

this

I think that many of the "territorial ,papers may well come to the conclusion-

that there is very little scope for action by HMG to accelerate decolonisation, but we cannot be sure until we have tried to write them.

4 December, 1974.

RESTRICTED

MP: Prestu

M. P. Preston Caribbean Department

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