TNAG-0714-FCO40-910-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 104

STEPS TO INDEPENDENCE

1.

Current situation of British Dependent Territories

The remaining, British Dependent Territories (DTs) are at varying stages of constitutional development. With the exception of Pitcairn, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, they all have some form of Legislative and Executive Council (roughly equivalent to an upper and lower Chamber). The Executive Council (usually composed of official members, unofficial members appointed by the Governor from among local citizens and elected members of the legislature) deals with day-to-day government business and advises the Governor; the Legislative Council (composed mainly of elected members although some may be ex-officio members or members nominated by the Governor) debates and enacts government legislative measures necessary to carry out executive decisions. The powers of the Governor can vary considerably under this system. He may have reserve legislative and executive authority, may have the power to refuse assent or to reserve a bill passed by the Legislative Assembly and to appoint or discipline public officers.

2.

Internal Self-Government

In a DT with an advanced constitution the Governor is still

the Executive Authority, but the Legislature is fully elected as opposed to being composed of both nominated and elected members. There is also a Cabinet of Ministers presided over by a Chief Minister. At this point a DT is in effect fully internally self- governing. Although the Governor remains The Queen's representative and head of the executive, he acts on Ministerial advice. He has special powers to enable him to carry out Britain's responsibilities for defence, external affairs and internal security and he may act against Ministerial advice in any matter where he considers it necessary for the discharge of these responsibilities.

3.

Independence

Before a DT can proceed to independence there must be an election in the DT in which Independence is a stated objective, or a referendum on Independence. Requests from DTs for a move towards Independence are usually only considered when the wishes of the people in that DT are made clear in one of these two ways. Once the wish of the

/majority

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