TNAG-0832-FCO40-1040-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1979 — Page 5

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5. Aid has a leading part to play in bringing independence

to those territories where it is a realistic possibility. It

would be particularly helpful to have Ministers' endorsement

of the long-standing principle that the reasonable needs of our

remaining dependencies constitute a first call on our aid

programme.

A

6. The future of the Dependent Territories was discussed at a

seminar which took place last month under FCO sponsorship at

the Institute for Development Studies of Sussex University.

summary of the discussion is attached, together with a covering

minute by Mr Stratton. There was a lively debate, but no really

new ideas emerged. However, the great majority of the participants

thought we should be actively seeking to divest ourselves of our

remaining dependencies, instead of being guided by the wishes of

the local populations.

7.

The arguments in favour of this course are, put simply,

that colonies are an embarrassment in a post-colonial age; that

they cost the British tax-payer money; and that they bring us

headaches but no rewards. There is something in this last point,

at least as far as the Caribbean territories are concerned. But

the other two have much less force. Special cases apart, so long

as we are guided, and are seen to be guided, by the wishes of local

populations we are unlikely to be seriously embarrassed inter-

nationally by the continued existence of a handful of small

dependencies.

And there are few financial savings to be achieved:

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