TNAG-0926-FCO40-1144-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 194

H

8/1.

From :

1

His Excellency The Hon 'Sir Peter Ramsbotham, GCMG, GCVO

Government House HKG 025/1

Bermuda

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIALX

R J Stratton Esq, CMG

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW 1

Dear Dick

ск

کیا

18 FEB 1980

bruar

20.51

REGISTRY Action Taken

ny s

SeeB

1980 Lee

Now sex (22

M. CHA, HK+GD.

Mr Bridg Food

these seem reasonablert

POLICY TOWARDS THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES enough points.

$1872

I was interested to read your letter of 1 February and

the memorandum which you sent with it.

1572

2.

I agree that there is no reason why that memorandum should not have a wider circulation. Indeed, there would be some advantage in making the United Kingdom's basic policy clear to Bermuda Ministers, and to the local Legislature. This should gently foster the growing belief that Independence is "inevitable", and give a further helpful nudge in that direction.

3.

I have one comment on a point of detail. Paragraph 2 of the memorandum says that the British Government, through the Governor, must retain overall responsibility for (amongst other things) "the administration of the public service". In Bermuda, the Public Service Commission has been responsible for this matter since 1968; although its members are still appointed in my dis- cretion, after the Premier and the Opposition Leader have been consulted. The attention of some people here might focus on this minor inaccuracy, which could even discredit the rest of the mem- orandum. That would be a pity. So I suggest that an amendment be made, to reflect the true position. One possibility is to add the words "or given to local Public Service Commissions" at the end of paragraph 3.

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

Holmes,

1. Copy (Personal) to Nor B. Hdings, WAD ~ 2. By I mo pse.

NORED CNS18.2°

18/2

25

11 & 3

Noted ..12/ BU again I'm