TNAG-0831-FCO40-1039-Commonwealth-Parliamentary-Association-(CPA)-annual-conferen-1979 — Page 71

RMUDA

Constitutional Status

1.

Bermuda (population 57,000 of whom roughly two-thirds are coloured) is

a dependency under the Crown and, except for the Governor's responsibility

for external affairs, defence, internal security and the police, has had

virtual internal self-government since 1968, with a ministerial system of

government since 1973. There is a House of Assembly consisting of 40 members

elected by universal adult suffrage and a Legislative Council consisting of

eleven nominated members, five of whom are appointed at the Governor's dis-

cretion, four on the advice of the Premier, and two on the advice of the

Opposition Leader.

Political

2.

The multi-racial United Bermuda Party (UBP) led by Mr David Gibbons,

who succeeded Sir John Sharpe as Premier in August 1977, was formed in 1964

and has been in Government continuously since 1968. It holds 25 of the

40 seats in the House of Assembly. The others are held by the (predomin-

antly black) Progressive Labour Party (PLP) led by Mrs Lois Browne-Evans,

which came into being in 1963 and now forms the Opposition.

Economic

3.

Tourism is Bermuda's major industry and the whole economy is geared to

it. There were 550,000 visitors in 1978. The other major contributor to

Bermuda's prosperity is off-shore investment. Manufacturing industries are

small: they include boat yards, pharmaceuticals, beauty preparations, fur-

niture and concentrated essences. UK exports to Bermuda in 1978 amounted to

£22.2 million: imports were valued at £11.25 million. Bermuda receives no

official aid from the UK although some technical assistance is occasionally

provided for which Bermuda pays.

4. Per capita income in Bermuda was US$ 8,290 in 1978, unemployment was

running at 11%, and the annual rate of inflation at about 61%. The distur-

bances in December 1977 had an adverse effect on the figures for tourism and

led to an increase in unemployment. However, by the end of 1978 the total

number of tourists was down by just under 4% on 1977. There are signs of a

revival of international confidence in Bermuda's prospects for stability and

continued prosperity. Latest figures indicate that Bermuda will enjoy a

boom year in tourism in 1979.

/Constitutional