i
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now be available).
themselves.
More important, because this Report
was conceived within a PAR framework, it is directed to the assessment of costs and benefits to the UK rather than to costs and benefits to the peoples of the dependencies
In a different framework the end result might have looked rather different presentationally. But in my view it would not be justifiable to devote labour and time to the production of a second edition: the resultant amend- ments would not affect the basic issues clearly set out in the Report, on which early Ministerial directions are highly desirable.
3. Paragraph 10.10 of the Report summarises its conclusions. Briefly these are that except in the case of Hong Kong, the British Antarctic Territory, Falkland Islands Dependencies, British Indian Ocean Territory and St Helena/ Ascension Island, which in our view it is in HMG's continuing interest to retain as dependencies, we should now adopt a conscious policy of "accelerated decolonisation". The Report however distinguishes between two major options in the field of economic aid policy: first (in effect present policy) to provide a level of aid which aims to establish an economic and social infrastructure which a territory can ultimately, though not necessarily immediately, sustain from its own resources; alternatively, to aim at least in certain territories at a somewhat higher standard, even if this is not likely to be self-sustaining, accepting that this implies continued financial (or even budgetary) dependence, so as to pre-empt the criticism that we may be committing territories to independence in discreditable social and economic conditions.
4.
I recommend that subject to any further discussion which you may think desirable with your ministerial colleagues you should agree that the Report, together with the accompanying draft DOPC Memorandum, should be submitted to the Secretary of State, and with his agreement
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