TNAG-0601-FCO40-749-Capital-punishment-in-Dependent-Territories-1977 — Page 123

Copy for Cap. Punishment file

Government House

Staattime

Fr:

His Excellency The Hon. Sir Peter Ramsbotham, GCVO, KCMG.

Minister of be inte

DGO 1/41

1/41

T Rowlands Esq, MP

. Bermuda

RESTRICTED AND PERSONAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London

Dear Ted

अ. 3/10

WIAJ

Polio

29 September, 1977

Original at:

This Copy for: .

Information only / Action on Perett)

When I was briefed in London before coming here I detected that attitudes about Bermuda's future had begun to change. Earlier, there had been hopes that the publication of a Green Paper on the subject might point the territory in the direction of independence coupled perhaps with an inclination to nudge it along. These were giving way to the view that a nudge might not serve any significant U.K. interest, and that Bermudians could safely be left to make up their own minds about their future.

If so, the change will have been timely. For David Gibbons, Bermuda's new Premier who is calling on you next Wednesday, does not favour early independence. Nor do his Cabinet colleagues. And, so far as can at present be judged, a substantial majority of local people feel the same way.

He will no doubt explain to you his party's plans to try and determine the position more accurately by arranging, later this year, a house to house canvas of the kind normally undertaken before an election. Its purpose, on this occasion, will be to seek opinions about independence. The opportunity will also be taken to seek opinions about other controversial questions, like the voting age and the expatriate (or residential) vote. A White Paper would then follow, probably next summer. The Government's expectation is that the outcome would be to defer independence for an indefinite period at least five years, I would judge.

Meanwhile, David Gibbons considers that the public airing which the question has already been given has shown that

(a) it would be a source of pride and pleasure to have

a Bermudian Governor;

(b)

a greater measure of local control over the Police would be welcome.

RESTRICTED AND PERSONAL

Cont'd