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2.
He recognises that the first aspiration cannot be realised until As a palliative, he aims Bermuda is committed to early independence.
to give the Premier greater prominence by providing an official residence, car and so on.
This seems to me wholly unobjectionable: indeed, it is right and proper that the Governor should now adopt a
lower profile.
The Premier's more important proposal is that a measure of responsibility for the Police be delegated to a Minister. I have
I hope discussed this with him, and told him he has my full support. you will be able to give it yours too.
The attached brief (which Peter Lloyd wrote at his request) explains in more detail what is contemplated.
Peter did send Dick Stratton a letter on 14 September with advance notice that this subject would be raised with you.
Three others may be mentioned, though David Gibbons has no particular requests to make.
attitudes on defence matters.
First, you may recall that Jack Sharpe asked last April about U.S.
You subsequently raised this with Vine when you visited Washington in May, being promised a response within The Consul General here (who has just gone home for consultations) is, at my request, inquiring whether one can yet be
three months or so.
made.
It is being Second, a PLP petition asking The Queen to grant Burrows and Tacklyn a reprieve has been handed to me this morning. forwarded separately. David Gibbons knows this, but he does not know that it is almost certain to be granted. You may decide that he should be briefed about the Secretary of State's proposals for the de facto abolition of capital punishment in dependent territories.
Third, the selection of a successor to Sir John Summerfield as Chief Justice has, unfortunately, become a political issue, the PLP having mounted a public campaign in favour of Earle Seaton, the present Puisne Judge, whose appointment the UBP would vigorously
oppose.
He is himself wholly innocent of known political leanings or of any impropriety - and is much embarrassed by what is happening. The UBP, the great majority of the local bar and many others (including Summerfield), who have no prejudices whatever, all consider that he
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