TNAG-0597-FCO40-744-Future-of-Dependent-Territories-territorial-studies-1977 — Page 102

Mr Jasper HKGD, K270

&

CONFIDENTIAL

Myss hablane.

Wald you these firefame

WIND is still to come. ?..

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A

draft.

J.J

17

Reference

CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION OF DEPENDENT TERRITORIES: REVISION OF NOTES FOR UKMIS NEW YORK

1.

423

See 25

1.9

I append below the revisions requested in your minute HKG 025/1 of 4 July for the territories under this department's responsibility:-

CODE 18-77

SS 10/76

GILBERT ISLANDS

NEW HEBRIDES

PITCAIRN

Present Constitution and Prospects for Independence

Ministerial Constitution introduced 1974. Internal self government 1 January 1977. Independence Conference to follow general election in 1977/78.

Anglo-French Condominium. Constitutional development had been at a standstill, until Anglo/French agreement in November 1974 to establish a Representative Assembly, with wide responsibilities, elected by universal suffrage. Elections held in November 1975. At inaugural meeting of Assembly in June 1976 joint ministerial statement publicly affirmed our policy of self-determination. It seems likely that the joint ministerial meeting with a New Hebridean delegation in July 1977 will establish a timetable for independence as well as arrangements for a new Assembly and a wide measure of self-government.

The Governor of Pitcairn is a personal appointment which in recent years has been held by the British High Commissioner to New Zealand. The Island Magistrate

Considerations affecting aid

Policy

Not grant-aided. Aid policy will have to be reviewed in context of

independence and eventual end of phosphate

revenues.

Grant-aided: little likeli- hood of becoming econ- omically viable.

presides over the Island Council of 10 members dealing with parish affairs. Population about 60: no constitutional advance is possible. Evacuation may become necessary (most probably to New Zealand or Norfolk Island) but recent harbour improvements may help to sustain a viable community on Pitcairn.

/SOLOMON