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HWB 020/1 per
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RECORD OF A MEETING HELD AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ON WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 1977 at 11.45 AM BETWEEN THE MINISTER OF STATE, MR TED ROWLANDS MP, AND THE PREMIER. OF BERMUDA, THE HON JOHN DAVID GIBBONS JP MP
Present:
Mr Ted Rowlands MP
Mr AR Powell
Mr CC Long
The Hon J David Gibbons JP MP Mr David Wilkinson MP
1.
After welcoming Mr Gibbons and Mr Wilkinson Mr Rowlands said he looked forward to continuing with the Premier the cordial relationship which he had had with his predecessor, Sir John Sharpe. Thanking the Minister, Mr Gibbons said he reciprocated this wish. 2. Mr Gibbons said the general economy of Bermuda continued at a high level. Inflation was low and there was no unemployment. his opinion the appointment of Sir Peter Ramsbotham was Bermuda's
Bermuda's close relationship with the gain and Washington's loss.
In
US would be enhanced by Sir Peter's intimate knowledge of that country and its people. Mr Rowlands expressed his satisfaction with this information and gave Mr Gibbons an account of the improving situation of the UK economy.
3. Discussion then turned to the Green Paper on Independence. Mr Gibbons said his opinion was that the majority of Bermudians
A Bermudian were not in favour of independence at this stage. newspaper had recently assessed that only 20% of Bermudians would
The United Bermuda Party intended to opt for such a move now. conduct a comprehensive house-to-house canvass to try to determine
A White Paper would the general feeling on this important question. probably be published next summer. Several points on independence were causing some concern; particularly the cost of overseas representation.
4.
On the attitude of the opposition Progressive Labour Party, Mr Gibbons said they had surprisingly adopted a low profile on the independence issue since the Green Paper was published.
5. Mr Gibbons added that if, as now seemed likely, Bermuda decided against independence at this stage, he hoped Bermuda would continue to be included in UK delegations when international matters of
Assuring Mr Gibbons on concern to Bermuda were being discussed.
the latter point, Mr Rowlands said the UK Government were content to allow Bermuda to decide for themselves whether or not to apply for independence and that no pressure would be applied either way; the Government of Bermuda should feel free to consult the UK Government on any difficulties connected with a move towards independence.
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