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 review the decision to recommend the withholding of Assent to the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022.
David Rutley
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury), Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The decision to reserve the Bermuda Cannabis Licencing Bill for the signification of Her Majesty was made by the Governor of Bermuda acting in accordance with her Constitutional role, as it appeared to her to be inconsistent with the UK's international obligations. The former Foreign Secretary then considered the Bill and concluded that, as drafted, it was inconsistent with international obligations held by the UK and Bermuda under UN conventions. On that basis, assent could not legitimately be given.
The UK is deeply committed to working in partnership with Bermuda and remains available and willing to discuss new proposals on cannabis legislation, to find a way forward that works for Bermuda whilst also remaining within the scope of existing international obligations.
Yes2 people think so
No1 person thinks 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.
