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During the
Second World War, the bulk of Gibraltar's civilian
population was evacuated for security reasons.
An initial evacuation to French Morocco had to
be terminated after a few months due to the deterioration
of relations between Britain and the Vichy Government
of France. The civilians were then re-evacuated
to Britain, Jamaica and Madeira. Some went to
Tangier and Spain under their own steam. Repatriation
began in 1944, but due to accommodation difficulties
in Gibraltar the last repatriates did not return
until 1951.
The experience
gained by some evacuees in the fight for better
conditions for themselves and for their compatriots
gave a substantial impetus to the demand for greater
self-government in the Colony. The Association
for the Advancement of Civil Rights was formed
at the end of 1942 and in 1945 the City Council
was reconstituted, for the first time with an
elected majority.
The Governor's
monopoly of legislative authority ended 5 years
later with the formation of a Legislative Council,
and subsequent amendments allowed for a majority
of elected Members in this assembly.
The post-war
years were also marked by considerable expansion
and progress in the social and economic spheres.
In the social sphere, Medical, Educational, Housing
and Social Security Services were developed
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