TNAG-1874-FCO40-2665-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-other-British-Dependent-Terr-1989 — Page 41

You refer to the French system of DOMS whereby islands

such as Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion are completely

integrated into the administrative network of

Metropolitan France.

(France also has Dependent

Territories in the South Pacific whose form of government

is broadly similar to that or our own DTs, with appointed

High Commissioners (ie governors) and elected local

assemblies).

When regularly reviewing the constitutional

arrangements in our DTs, we examine the full range of

ללי

options. A transition from Dependent Territory status to

full integration into the UK would of course prove a long

Centaul significant changes to current

and detailed process and administrative practice.

There

is no evidence that any DT currently desires this course

*

which would have to be irreversible. In the case of

certain territories, it might also exacerbate regional

political problems.

The

This wish of the people of Gibraltar to remain British

should not be confused with incorporation into the UK.

We have repeatedly made clear to Spain that we are bound

by the commitment in the Preamble to the 1969 Gibraltar

Constitution that Gibraltar will not pass under the

sovereignty of another state against the freely and

democractically expressed wishes of the people of

Gibraltar. We will continue to stand by that commitment.

But the Gibraltarians have not asked to be incorporated

in to metropolitan Britiain. To be thus incorporated

would run counter to the way in which Britain has

traditionally administered her Rependent Territories.

is not clear what advantage Gibraltar might stand to

It

A