TNAG-0926-FCO40-1144-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 21

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Written Answers

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serrat, St. Kitts, Anguilla, and the

and Caicos Islands.

Ridley Her Majesty's Govern- s policy with regard to indepen- for the remaining territories for it has responsibility is to respect vishes of the local inhabitants as ssed through their elected leaders. ssions have recently taken place local administrations in the follow-

stances:

ave had several meetings on this et during the past year with the er of Belize and with representa- of the Belizean oppositon. A con- onal conference will be called in ear future with the intention of ng Belize to early independence. and Islands and Dependencies efer my hon. Friend to the state- I made on 2 December.-[Vol. . 195.]

and Caicos Islands

ks were held in November 1979 the then Government of the Turks Caicos Islands and moves towards endence by 1982 were agreed in ple. The Government reconsidered position just prior to the elections ovember 1980 in which they were ted. The present Government have hat they prefer to move more slow- wards independence and have not sed any date.

ere has been contact from time to with the Governments of some e other Dependent Territories. Of

the British Virgin Islands, the an Islands, St. Helena and Tristan unha have expressed no wish for endence. As Ascension Island has rmanent inhabitants it will remain pendency. Montserrat regards in- dence as an ultimate goal but has ssed no desire for any early moves s direction. The Bermuda Govern- are keeping the question under v. No discussions have taken place case of Gibraltar, Hong Kong and rn Island.

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regards the West Indies Associated Government

the Antiguan

ed a mandate for early indepen- in the April 1980 elections and a tutional conference

opened in

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Mr. Ridley: The British High Com- mission in Guyana has a United King- dom-based staff of eight. There are no British diplomats resident in Nicaragua, but the five officers on the staff of the British Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, are additionally accredited to Nicaragua.

Written Answers 16 DECEMBER 1980

London on 4 December to discuss the details with all interested parties. The St. Kitts-Nevis Government have in- dicated that independence remains their long-term goal, though they have ne set a date. The Anguilla Bill to separate Anguilla from the Associated State St. Kitts-Nevis, whereby it would revert to full dependent status, has today r ceived Royal Assent. The Anguilla Government have expressed no wish for an carly move towards independence. though possibilities of constitutional) advance are under consideration.

Falkland Islands

Mr. Michael Brown asked the Lord Privy Seal what reaction he has had from interested parties to his recent announcement on the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Ridley: There has been a wide range of reactions in the United King- dom following my statement to the House on 2 December on the future of the Falkland Islands.-[Vol. 995, c. 196-204.] My visit to the Islands has also given rise to a good deal of comment in Argentina. Those principally concerned, the Falkland Islanders themselves, are still considering the ideas about which I consulted them. They have under- taken to let me have their reactions in due course.

Mr. Wigley asked the Lord Privy Seal if Her Majesty's Government intend to hold a referendum amongst the popu- lation of the Falkland Islands on the proposals recently made by them on the island's future.

Mr. Ridley: Islanders' views on what proposals might be further explored through negotiations will be conveyed through their elected councillors. Any eventual settlement with the Argentines would have to be clearly endorsed by the Islanders, and ultimately by Parliament. The method of seeking endorsement by the Islanders, whether by referendum or general election, would be for decision at the time in the light of advice from the governor.

Guyana and Nicaragua

Mr. Peter Bottomley asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list the numbers of British diplomats in, and the populations of, Guyana and Nicaragua.

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i

The population of Guyana is approxi- mately 714,000, while that of Nicaragua is approximately 2-4 million.

Maritime Territorial Limit

Mr. John Garrett asked the Lord Privy Seal if he proposes to extend the United Kingdom's maritime territorial limit to 12 miles.

Mr. Hurd: The Government are keeping under review the desirability of an extension of the United Kingdom's territorial sca in the light of develop- ments at the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference.

CIVIL SERVICE

Her Majesty's Stationery Office (Manpower)

Mr. John Garrett asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the proposed reduction of staff in Her Majesty's Stationery Office generally, and in its offices in Norwich.

Mr. Channon: It is proposed to reduce the number of staff in Her Majesty's Stationery Office by about 1,000 to some 5,000 by April 1984. Of the departmental manpower targets announced on

27 November-[Vol. 994, c. 173-76]-the President's Department--of which Her total savings attributed to the Lord

Majesty's Stationery Office is one- taken together include a further reduc- tion of 1,000 staff. Apart from a small reduction in the reprographics area of the Department outside Norwich, no decisions have yet been taken as to where the individual reductions will be made.

Manpower

Mr. John Garrett asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the proposed reduction of staff in the Civil Service Department generally, and in its offices in Norwich.