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UNDER FOR
$27(1)(a) (bXc
GIBRALTÁR
GILBERT & ELLICE! ISLANDS COLONY
HONG KONG
MONTSERRAT
NEW HEBRIDES
FITCAIRN
CONFIDENTIAL & FERSONAL
Iresent Constitution and Prospects for Independence
Ministerial Constitution but Governor has extensive reserve powers. Treaty of Utrecht rules out separate independence. Integration with Britain not acceptable to H.G.
Ministerial Constitution. Separation planned for 1 October 1975, and thereafter each territory expected to proceed towards internal self-govern- ment, and independence, which the Gilberts are expected to achieve before Tavalu.
Administered by Governor through Executive and Legislative Councils. No constitutional progress possible.
Ministerial Constitution. No political obstacle to internal self-government followed by independence except the lack of desire of the people for it.
Anglo-French Condominium. Further constitutional development likely to be slow because we have to carry the French with us.
British High Commissioner to New Zealand is Governor of Pitcairn. The Island Magistrate presides over an Islands Council of 10 members dealing with parish affairs. Population less than 100 and falling: no constitutional advance is possible. Evacuation to New Zealand may eventually be
necessary.
CONFIDENTIAL & PERSONAL
Considerations affecting aid policy
Aid programme agreed in 1974 High GNF, Aid is justified only on political grounds, in fulfilment of HG's commit- ment to support and sustain Gibraltar in the face of Spanish restrictions.
After separation Tavalu will become grant aided but the Gilberts will not. Aid policy for the latter will have to be reviewed when their phosphate
reserve ceases.
Economically viable: no aid questions arise. Individual territorial study not required.
Grant aided and unlikely ever to be economically viable.
Grant aided: little likelihood of becoming economically viable.
No territorial study required.
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