TNAG-2367-FCO40-3440-British-Dependent-Territories-(British-Overseas-Territories)-1991 — Page 87

EC

CONFIDENTIAL

213/1

HKD 213

DECISTA 1 MAY 1991

22)

*FFICER

PA

TRY

laken

1.

Thank you for looking at this matter again. I agree with the substance of what is now proposed. But I do see some difficulty in suggesting to Ministers that they announce a phase-out for all dependent territories while knowing full well that it is our intention to avoid doing this for St Helena. This would risk misleading parliament (if we were obliged to make such a statement in reply to a PQ).

2. Is it really impossible to say publicly that we shall make an exception for St Helena because the quota is comparatively so important for that territory?

25 April 1991

CC: Mr Baker-Bates, SAAD

folm holes.

JOHN COLES

JC1ABK

CONFIDENTIAL