Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office written question – answered at on 12 June 2023.
Andrew Rosindell
Conservative, Romford
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of representation in Parliament for the British Overseas Territories; and if he will make a statement.
David Rutley
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury), Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has a longstanding and deep relationship with all of its Overseas Territories based on partnership and shared values as reaffirmed at the Joint Ministerial Council in May and reflected in the Communiqué [2023 UK and Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council communiqué - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)]. No Territory has formally raised the idea of formal representation in this House and we do not plan on making assessment on UK parliamentary representation for Overseas Territories. The UK Government believes that the fundamental structure of our constitutional relationships with the Overseas Territories is the right one. Powers are devolved to the elected governments of the Territories to the maximum extent possible, consistent with the UK retaining those powers necessary to discharge its sovereign responsibilities.
Yes1 person thinks so
No2 people think not
Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
