OT 347: Letter from Gillian Merron MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to the Chairman of the Committee: Turks and Caicos Islands

 

Thank you for sending me a copy of the TCI Premier's letter to you of 20 March. I thought it might be useful to set out the UK Government's views on the points raised.

 

In response to recent letters from the Premier, I have explained that the UK Government has formed a view that parts of the TCI Constitution would need to be suspended, including those relating to Ministerial Government and the House of Assembly, and unless the Commissioner's final report significantly changes our current assessment of the situation, the Order in Council will be brought into force after the report is received.

 

It would be for the Premier to end the current prorogation of the House of Assembly and to call for a meeting of the House at which these matters could be debated. I understand that this meeting has now taken place.

 

The Order in Council does not deal with the enlargement of the franchise. This will not be an issue for resolution overnight and would be the subject of consultation before a way forward is decided. With regard to the Advisory Council, as the Order in Council is drafted, there would be a minimum of five Belongers out of a maximum of seven nominated members. Within this framework, the Governor will seek to draw on a wide range of skills and expertise available within TCI society.

 

I hope that you find these comments helpful.

 

 

22 April 2009