TNAG-0832-FCO40-1040-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1979 — Page 16

Mr McLaren, HK&GD

CONFIDENTIAL

r

HKG.025/1

25 OCT 1979

но ом

POLICY TOWARDS THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

1. The Pus spoke to me this morning about the draft despatch on decolonisation covered by Mr Quantrill's submission of 29 August. He said he had no quarrel with the contents of the despatch, only with its presentation for which I must accept the chief responsibility. Sir Michael said he thought it was a tactical

to link the despatch with the Governors'; Conference in

it January and consequently with the previous Administration: would be better if the despatch were to be turned, virtually unchanged, into a Memorandum to be covered by a submission some- what on the following lines:

@

41

"Ministers have not yet had occasion to consider their policy towards our remaining dependent territories which, apart from the special cases of Hong Kong, Gibraltar, Belize and the Falkland Islands, are concentrated in the Caribbean and the Atlantic regions. They will be aware from separate discussions of the problems, including those of security, that have arisen in the Caribbean area. Partly as a result of these developments the Governors of these territories need guidance about the new Govern- ment's policy over decolonisation. As Ministers will know, apart

from changes of emphasis colonial as well as foreign policy has enjoyed considerable continuity since the war with few fundamental differences arising from changes of Government. Aid has clearly a leading part to play in bringing our remaining independent territories to independence, and we should like in particular to obtain Ministers' endorsement of the Long-standing principle that the reasonable needs of our remaining dependencies constitute a first call on our aid programme.

S

A Memorandum on colonial policy is attached. The Secretary of State may wish to discuss it within the Department or to forward it to his OD colleagues for their agreement

It would if possible

be useful to get guidance to Officers Administering Governments before the end of the year.

"I

2. Perhaps you would have the draft despatch (which should be kept on the stocks for possible future use) turned into a Memorandum covered by a submission, on the lines suggested by the PUS, which might include a reference to the conclusions of this week's seminar at the IDS.

li

RJ Stratton

28 September 1979

CC: Mr Duff, WIAD

SED

SAD

SPD

CONFIDENTIAL