2.
A.
THE GOVERNOR
Discretion for executive decisions
6.3 The Governor administers the Islands with the assistance of Executive and Legislative Councils. Almost all matters of importance are referred to the Executive Council whose members are shrewd, tenacious, self-assured and conservative. The Governor has certain reserve powers and may, if he thinks it appropriate, act in opposition to the advice of the Executive Council; such an act would be unusual however and he must report it to the Secretary of State.
7.
The Governor's primary functions are:
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(i) responsibility for the day to day administration of
the Islands, with the assistance of the Chief Secretary and a small local civil service. The Islands have to be kept going efficiently despite difficulties arising from their isolation, low rates of investment in recent years and consequent deteriorating capital stock and buildings;
(ii) as the Representative of HMG, to act as the channel
to the Islanders of HMG's views, to assist in the furtherance of British Government policy, by creating the right climate with the Islanders while developing and retaining their confidence; to report Islander views faithfully to HMG.
8. HMG's policy is that there should be no change in the Islanders' present sovereignty status against their wishes. But British interests would be furthered by a settlement of the sovereignty dispute with Argentina which bedevils our relations not only with that country but with South America generally and causes difficulties in the United Nations. It is also to the benefit of the Islanders to enjoy good relations with Argentina, but they are vigorously determined to maintain their present allegiance and are highly suspicious of any move which smacks of any erosion of British sovereignty.
B.
9.
Involvement in the Judicial Process
The Governor appoints magistrates on his own authority and Judges on instructions from The Queen through the Foreign & Commonwealth Secretary. He is not otherwise involved in the administration of justice, which is a separate process, except that he has the power to grant pardon (in the case of a death sentence, the advice of EXCO has to be sought but may be disregarded). The Court of Appeal for the Territory sits in London.
MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE
/c.
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