Lord Chancellor Takes Over Responsibility For Constitutional Representation Of Channel Islands And Isle Of Man

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

15 June 2001

As part of the reorganisation of the UK government following last week's general election, the Guernsey Advisory and Finance Committee has confirmed that the responsibility for the Bailiwick of Guernsey's link with the Crown -indeed the link with all Crown Dependencies - has been transferred from the Home Secretary to the Lord Chancellor's Department (LCD).

The idea behind the restructuring is to remove a number of Home Office responsibilities in order to allow the new Home Secretary, David Blunkett, to concentrate on tackling crime and asylum. Although no official written notification has taken place, it is believed that Home Office officials informed the Guernsey authorities over the phone earlier this week with written documentation to follow. The Committee says that it understands that the Lord Chancellor's new responsibility will cover constitutional issues including Freedom of Information, Data Protection and Human Rights in the Crown Dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.

The Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, welcomed the decision and announced that LCD Minister Michael Willis MP has been assigned responsibility for the Islands' business. The Lord Chancellor said: 'I welcome my new role as Privy Counsellor with special responsibility for the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and look forward to visiting the Islands.'

According to a report from the Guernsey Press and Star news service, Committee member, Deputy Roger Berry claimed that although the Island was entering into 'unknown territory,' he believed that the Crown Dependencies could benefit from the transfer of responsiblities. He said that the Home Office used to deal with Crown Dependency issues together with law and order provisions that the UK was tackling at the time and perhaps this would now change. 'There might be an advantage in dealing with the Lord Chancellor's Offices,' he added.

In a statement released by Advisory and Finance Committee, President Laurie Morgan stated: 'We have had a longstanding relationship with the Home Office, which in recent years has been reinforced by the successful conclusion of the Edwards’ Review. We trust that the increased level of understanding that now exists with H.M. Government will serve as a positive foundation as we seek to build a good relationship with the Lord Chancellor's Department. Our constitutional and legal relationship with the Crown is fundamental and I look forward to meeting the Minister who is given responsibility for the Crown Dependencies at the earliest opportunity.'

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