OT 296: Letter to the Head of the Parliamentary Relations Team,

Foreign and Commonwealth Office from the Second Clerk

 

 

The Foreign Affairs Committee considered the Government's response to its Overseas Territories Report at its meeting on Wednesday 22 October and has asked me to write with the following questions and comments arising.

 

Constitutional Orders

 

In what types of situation does the FCO believe it might not be possible to send the Committee draft constitutional Orders at least 28 sitting days before they are made?

 

British Indian Ocean Territory

 

Has the FCO taken legal advice on whether it would be possible to extend British citizenship to third generation Chagossians without creating a precedent for descendants of other British nationals?

 

On the Government's response regarding the UK's sovereignty dispute with Mauritius over the British Indian Ocean Territory, the Committee comments that welcoming views are not the same as taking them into account and repeats its recommendation that any resolution to the dispute must take Chagossians' wishes into account.

 

Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC)

 

Were the following issues discussed at the OTCC and, if so, what was the outcome:

 

non-Belongers' rights; and

raising awareness of the OTCC within Overseas Territories.

 

What was the response at the OTCC to the Committee's recommendation that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender status should be made illegal in all Territories? Are you willing to legislate on this if Territories do not take necessary action?

 

Environmental funding

 

Has the Inter Departmental Ministerial Group on Biodiversity taken a decision yet on whether to make a strategic assessment of Overseas Territories' funding needs?

 

Falkland Islands airbridge

 

The Committee would like details of any increases in seat costs over the last year.

 

Eligibility for compensation

 

Will the recent extension of eligibility for compensation to victims of child sex abuse on Pitcairn Island have any implications for victims of crime in other Overseas Territories?

 

Illegal immigration in the Turks and Caicos Islands

 

The Committee would like to place on the record its disappointment at the Government's response on this issue.

 

Further information

 

The Committee looks forward to receiving updates on progress on the following:

 

developing an inter-Territory witness protection scheme;

including Overseas Territory participants in the annual National Ceremony of Remembrance at the Cenotaph; and

providing support to Territories to improve public accounting and audit.

 

It would also like to receive an update on:

 

the outcome of the FCO's consideration of the question of judge's contracts with Overseas Territories; and

any further developments regarding the Government's submission to the Commission for the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

 

I would be most grateful to receive a response by Thursday 18 December.

 

 

 

31 October 2008