03 November 2010
Jersey’s Chief Minister has welcomed the UK Government’s acceptance of the recommendations made earlier this year in the Justice Select Committee’s report on how the Ministry of Justice administers the relationship between the UK and the Crown Dependencies.
In its response, the Ministry of Justice says it recognises the strength of the Channel Islands’ system of government and ability to represent their interests in the UK and abroad. It supports the Channel Islands’ decision to set up a representative office in Brussels and is in favour of the Islands being increasingly entrusted to represent themselves overseas.
The Chief Minister, Senator Terry Le Sueur, said “I am pleased the Ministry of Justice accepts the committee’s recommendations and so clearly recognises the status of the Crown Dependencies as democratic, self-governing communities, responsible for determining our own future.
“The Ministry of Justice makes it clear that in future it will focus on its core constitutional responsibilities and that Crown Dependencies should interact directly with Whitehall departments as well as developing links with Brussels. With that in mind, Jersey must continue the work we have started to increase our capability and expertise in dealing directly with the UK Government and the European Union.”
gov.je