Turks and Caicos Islands (Hansard, 18 February 1980)

§ Mr. Ridley

Turks and Caicos Government Ministers visited London in November to discuss with my right hon. and noble Friend and with me their wish for constitutional advance. Following these discussions, the Turks and Caicos Government have decided that, if they are re-elected later this year, the Islands should move thereafter to a period of internal self-government to be followed by full independence in mid-1982. These constitutional moves would be linked with a special independence aid package amounting over a few years to about £11.8 million in all.

I also held discussions earlier this month with leaders of the Turks and Caicos Opposition. While they accepted independence as the Islands' ultimate destiny, it was their view that this could not be realistically considered for the time being.

26W

Since the Turks and Caicos Government and Opposition hold conflicting views about their future, any constitutional advance must await the outcome of the general election due to be held in the Islands later this year.