TNAG-0714-FCO40-910-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 155

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Wilberforce

Defence Dept.

EMS 26

Mr Macoun

Overseas Police Adviser

K322A

HKG 025/2

Reference

Separate copies

Mkc as St 1977

REVIEW OF POLICY ON DECOLONISATION

1. Following the disturbances in Bermuda after the hangings last year Mr Cortazzi suggested that we should study the policy of accelerated decolonisation (I attach a copy of his minute of 6 December).

2. I also attach a copy of my minute of 9 January addressed to departments concerned with the Dependent Territories, to- gether with the outline of a draft paper on the review of our policy of decolonisation (in the final form "accelerated" will be dropped from the title of the review).

3.

Mr Dale (WIAD) is carrying out further study on the five Caribbean Dependent Territories and I wonder whether Defence Department has any comments on defence matters in general for our remaining Dependent Territories and in particular with regard to the 5 Caribbean Dependencies, should there be a move by the latter towards independence in the next few years.

4.

Similarly I would welcome any comments Mr Macoun may have in his field regarding this exercise.

5.

May I have any comments by Monday 6 February.

CODE 18-77

SS 10,76

J Jasper

30 January 1978

Hong Kong & General Department

Cc:

Mr Dale WIAD

HKG 025/2 нка

RECEIV

3 1 JAN 1978

DESK OFfros INDEX

No

PA

J.J.

0.51

: PEGISTRY

Action Taken

све