TNAG-1117-FCO40-1391-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1982 — Page 160

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Mr Livesey, HKGD

Reference........

HKG 0253

NJ.

(1)

Bek

ег

WRITTEN PQ:

HOUSE OF LORDS: "WHAT TERRITORIES NOW COMPRISE THE BRITISH EMPIRE"

We spoke yesterday about the above. Responsibility for answering it probably falls between our two Departments. Would the following be helpful:

"With the coming to independence of almost all of the countries that. formerly comprised the British Empire, the term itself is no longer applicable. The remaining British dependent territories are:

2. We do not think it would be advisable to refer to the Commonwealth in this context. May we please seeeply and submission in draft?

12 February 1982

SButt Rodel..

B Brett Rooks (Miss)

Commonwealth Coordination Dept.

CODE 18 77