TNAG-1001-FCO40-1237-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-including--Report-of-the-1981 — Page 9

CONFIDENTIAL

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formed a vital ingredient in achieving a final independence agreement. The possibility of similar action will be borne in mind in future cases, subject to the overall constraints placed on the aid programme by the Government's general economic policies.

Alternatives to Independence

7. Her Majesty's Government's preference will remain a straight choice between continued dependence or full independence. We will nevertheless be prepared to consider on their merits any proposals for alternative arrangements that may be thought appropriate for particular territories. These could include association or integration with another country where this is locally acceptable, but will certainly not again include the relationship provided for under the 1967 West

Indies Act which led to the creation of the West Indies Associated

States. British experience since 1967 has clearly demonstrated the

drawbacks of an arrangement which left the Government answerable for the consequences of policies over which they had no control.