TNAG-0714-FCO40-910-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 36

C. THE CONSIDERATION GIVEN, ESPECIALLY BY PARLIAMENT, TO

THE WISHES OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE CEDED AREAS.

There were virtually no Pas and no debate on the question of the

consultation of the inhabitants in the case of the Gambia & Los Islands

(1904) for the reasons of secrecy etc referred to above. There were

however considerable Pas and debates in the Heligoland and Jubaland

cases, especially Heligoland, and the question of consultation of the

inhabitants played a considerable part in them. The exposition of this

is best given by the summary (below) of the substance of the PQs and

debates which indicates the nature of the criticisms on consultation

and the Governments' defence. The latter is especially important in

the Heligoland case because the then Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury,

laid down certain quasi-constitutional principles as governing the

matter of consultation.

There is a further significance in the Heligoland and Jubaland

cases in that, in 1890 (Heligoland), principles of self-determination

were far less influential. and 'raison d'etat' and 'Imperial interests'

were paramount, whilst the Jubaland case (1924) occurred in the early

post-war years ghen the principles of self-determination and 'the trust'

were at their strongest.

The Gambia & Los Islands. (1904).

As the Anglo-French Convention was negotiated in complete secrecy

(even the Governor of the Gambia was not told of the cession until its terms were finally agreed with "rance), there was no o ortunity for

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