TNAG-0831-FCO40-1039-Commonwealth-Parliamentary-Association-(CPA)-annual-conferen-1979 — Page 81

BRALTAR

1.

Executive authority is vested in the Governor in consultation with the

Gibraltar Council, which consists of the Governor, four ex-officio members,

the Chief Minister and four other Ministers. There is also a Council of

Ministers consisting of the Chief Minister, and a number of other Ministers

(not less than four or more than eight) as may be prescribed by the

Governor, acting after consultation with the Chief Minister. The Council

of Ministers have responsibility for certain 'defined domestic matters' but

the Governor may intervene in support of his responsibilities for defence,

external affairs, internal security and to maintain financial stability.

2.

The Gibraltar House of Assembly elections on 29 September 1976 resulted

in a victory for Sir Joshua Hassan, leader of the Gibraltar Labour Party and

Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights (GLP/AACR). The GLP/AACR

has held office continuously since World War II apart from a break in

1969-1972.

3.

At the Referendum held in Gibraltar in September 1967 an overwhelming

majority voted 'voluntarily to retain their link with the United Kingdom,

with democratic local institutions and with the United Kingdom retaining

its present responsibilities', in preference to the alternative, which was

to pass under Spanish sovereignty in accordance with the terms proposed by

the Spanish Government in May 1966. When the decision to hold a Referendum

was announced in the House of Commons on 14 June 1967 it was made clear

that, if the people of Gibraltar voted to retain their link with the

United Kingdom they would retain the right at any future time to opt by

democratic means for joining Spain, in which event the British Government

would be ready to approach the Spanish Government accordingly.

4.

The same announcement indicated that, if the majority decided on the

retention of the existing connections with Britain, there would be sub-

sequent discussions about 'appropriate constitutional changes' which might

be desired. These were held in Gibraltar in July 1968.

5. In the Preamble to the Gibraltar Constitution Order in Council of May

1969 the British Government gave assurances that 'Gibraltar will remain

part of Her Majesty's dominions unless and until an Act of Parliament

/otherwise