TNAG-1108-FCO40-1359-Ministerial-and-official-visits-to-Dependent-Territories-1982 — Page 26

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at present to consult the local governments on possible candidates.

There is, however, an exception to this in Bermuda where since 1970

it has been accepted that the Premier's views should be sought

in advance of the appointment of a new Governor, although no guarantee is given that these will be heeded. It may be that the

line taken by the Turks and Caicos Government has been prompted

by their learning about the practice in Bermuda. We know that the

Chief Minister of the BVI has already found out about it and been making similar noises. If this is true it is clearly going to make it more difficult to resist arguments from other Caribbean dependencies that they should be similarly treated. But we should if possible try to hold the line otherwise West Indian gubernatorial appointments will become a subject to unacceptable political pressure. The practice in Bermuda can at a pinch be justified on the grounds that

they are constitutionally more advanced and nearer independence

than the others.

5.

Partly in order to avoid pressures for advance consultation

we do ensure that local Chief Ministers are informed of the appointment

of a new Governor before the announcement is made. At present this is normally done about 24 hours in advance. It would be very difficult to do this earlier because of the high probability of a

leak before the announcement,which should at all costs be avoided in the case of an appointment by The Queen.

6. In fact the new Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands

has already been selected and his appointment approved by

Her Majesty. He is Mr Christopher Turner OBE. His appointment has

been announced on 3 June and the Governor will already have informed local Ministers 24 hours before hand.

Бир

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

4 June 1982

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