TNAG-0832-FCO40-1040-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1979 — Page 90

CODE 18-77

Mr Quantrill, HKGD K247

PAPERS FOR INCOMING MINISTERS

"HKG 025/1

No

Reference

10 MAY 177

L

• 1815 Tex 1

де

1. We discussed in Mr Stratton's room on 9 April how the Dependent Territories paper should be constructed and I think it was agreed that after discussion of capital punishment we could lead in quite logically to WIAD's territories starting with Bermuda. If this is how you propose to do it, my contribution, which has already been cleared with Mr Stratton, is as follows

K

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19

The 1977 riots in Bermuda,provoked by the execution of two con- victed murderers were followed by a Royal Commission of Enquiry chaired by Lord Pitt and a constitutional conference last February.

how Agreement was reached on the way forward with one exception: the Commonwealth Residency Vote (CRV) might in future be curtailed. Both political parties in Bermuda have now agreed to put their case on CRV to the Secretary of State and to abide by his decision, which should be given soon. A decision will also be needed on the St. Vincent Government's demand for immediate independence which is opposed by the Opposition parties. St. Kitts-Nevis could move to independence this year providing our proposals for local government in Nevis satisfy the Nevisians who are demanding secession. Anguilla would then revert to formal dependent territory status.

11 April 1979

PCS

PC Duff

West Indian & Atlantic Dept

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