CIA Factbook The World Factbook 1994: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesGovernment Names: • conventional long form: none • conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Digraph: VC Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Kingstown Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick Independence: 27 October 1979 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979) Constitution: 27 October 1979 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: • chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General David JACK (since 29 September 1989) • head of government: Prime Minister James F. MITCHELL (since 30 July 1984); Deputy Prime Minister Allan C. CRUICKSHANK (since NA); note—governor general appoints leader of the majority party to position of prime minister • cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly: elections last held 21 February 1994 (next to be held NA July 1999); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(21 total; 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators) NDP 10, MNU 2, SVLP 3 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party (NDP), James (Son) MITCHELL; Saint Vincent Labor Party (SVLP), Stanley JOHN; United People's Movement (UPM), Adrian SAUNDERS; Movement for National Unity (MNU), Ralph GONSALVES; National Reform Party (NRP), Joel MIGUEL Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: • chief of mission: Ambassador Kingsley C.A. LAYNE • chancery: 1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 102, Washington, DC 20036 • telephone: (202) 462-7806 or 7846 • FAX: (202) 462-7807 US diplomatic representation: no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados) Flag: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern