TNAG-1461-FCO40-1987-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-Hong-Kong--Gibraltar-and-1986 — Page 36

CONFIDENTIAL

UK policy where the Executive Council or Ministers are in a position

under the constitution to assert their will, either because the

subject is one within the Governor's duty to act in accordance with

their advice and he has no reserved power to override them (see para 7),

or because the matter at issue is not of sufficient importance to

justify the use of the reserved power. The reserved powers of the

Governor for the territories under consideration are as follows:

All Dependent

Territories:

All Dependent

Territories :

All Dependent

Territories

(except Bermuda):

External affairs, defence and internal

security (including the police).

Legislation in various fields.

The conduct and administration

of the public service.

BVI & Montserrat: The administration of the Courts.

6.

The Governor's Exercise of Reserved Powers

All Dependent

Territories

The Governor may use his discretion

whether or not to consult the Executive Council

(except Bermuda): (in the Pitcairn Group, the Island Council) but is

not obliged to act in accordance with its advice.

Bermuda:

The Governor's Councill, consisting

of the Governor himself, the Premier and two or

three other Ministers, advises the Governor on

reserved matters, for which he retains ultimate

responsibility.

1 As distinct form the Executive (see para. 8).

CONFIDENTIAL