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CONFIDENTIAL
PDT)
OLOMON ISLANDS
Present Constitution and Prospects for Independence
In August 1974 a ministerial system of government was introduced. The Governing Council was replaced by a Legislative Council with 24 elected serbers and 2 ex- officio mérbers - the Deputy Governor and the Attorney General. A Council of Ministers was established, compromising the Chief Minister, chosen by the elected members of the Legislative Council, and é other Ministers, appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister.
It was greed in May 1975 at talks in London that internal self-government should be introduced by the end of 1975, on the understanding that independence shoul4 follos 12-18 months later. In June 1975, the name "British ~olomon Islands Protectorate" was changed to "Solomon Islands" but the ste us of the islands remained unchanged. In the same year the number of Miristers was increased from 6 to 9, and the new Minister of Finance replaced the Financial Secretary.
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Internal self-gov rarent was introduce on
January 1976. Under this the Governor retsing responsibility for fefence, external affairs, internal security and the public service. In other matters he is required to act in accordance with the advice of the Council of Miristers. The elected members of the Legislative Assembly originally numbered 24, but this was increased to 38 at a reneral election in June 1975. Following a change of government at the 1976 election, Opposition action has resulted in a delay to the independence time- table, so that it now seems likely that independence will be achieved lete in 1977 or early in any. The precise fate of Independence will be fixed at an Independence Conference to be held as early as possible in 1977.
CONFIDENTIAL
Considerations affecting Air
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