How Did the British Government Predominantly View the American Colonies

How did the British government predominantly view the American colonies prior to the Revolution?

A) as an expensive and troublesome responsibility that many in Parliament were eager to be free from
B) as an economic possession, the inhabitants of which were merely employees of the empire and had no political rights whatsoever
C) as a "sister nation," destined for independence, but as of yet too immature and economically undeveloped to rule itself
D) as a "confederation of equals" with British citizens, highly involved in creating British laws and thus obligated to respect them
E) as unequal parts in a larger political and economic system, strictly subject to the rulings of Parliament