Crown Dependencies Welcome UK Report

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

06 April 2010

Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man have welcomed a report by an influential UK parliamentary committee which recommends that the UK government set out more clearly the constitutional position with regards to the Crown Dependencies.

In its report, the Justice Select Committee called on the UK to be “clearer… of the constitutional position, essential independence from the UK, and the fact that [the Crown Dependencies’] interests need to be considered routinely in any area of UK policy-making and legislation likely to affect them.”

Commenting on the report, Guernsey Chief Minister, Lyndon Trott said:

“I am particularly pleased that the Committee has endorsed the work we have been carrying out to assert our international identity while recognising the duty of the UK government to represent our interests. The Committee has acknowledged our desire to engage on the international stage and supports developments in this area.”

“The report will provide the ideal platform to discuss ways to develop the way the relationship is managed with the Minister responsible following the UK general election. Through the strong working relationship we already have with the UK government I look forward to developing our and the Committee’s suggestions.”

Isle of Man Chief Minister, Allan Bell also welcomed the outcome of the Committee’s review, stating:

“It is clear that the Committee listened to and appreciated the wide range of points we made, especially about our desire to strengthen the Isle of Man’s political and diplomatic relations with other countries “

The Committee also addressed the handling of the termination of the Reciprocal Health Agreement stating: "We believe the lack of consultation, and discussion of possible options, with each Crown Dependency was a failing in the UK government’s approach to its responsibilities."

Concluding, Bell said:

"It is particularly helpful that the Committee stated, in strong terms, that the UK government has a duty to represent our interests on the international stage, even when our interests are not the same as those of the UK.”

“The Committee picked up on the recommendations made in our submission about finding appropriate mechanisms to represent our interests effectively in international discussions, and we hope to be able to work with the Ministry of Justice to put some of those measures into action.”

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