16 January 2014
Jersey has welcomed the findings of a House of Commons Justice Committee report into the relationship between the UK and Crown Dependencies which was published today (Thursday 16 January).
The report, ‘Crown Dependencies: developments since 2010’, concludes that the recommendations proposed by the Committee in its original report have largely been implemented, and worked well in practice, and that Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man have played a constructive role in the process.
Robust and healthy relationship
Jersey’s Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, said: “The relationship between Jersey and the Ministry of Justice is robust and healthy. Since the publication of the 2010 report we have worked with the Ministry of Justice, and our colleagues in Guernsey and the Isle of Man, and together we have achieved important steps forward. Primary legislation, for example, now receives Royal Assent more quickly, and there is much greater awareness in Whitehall of Jersey and the Crown Dependencies.
“These positive steps are in no small part due to the excellent work of Lord McNally during his time at the Ministry of Justice, and to the work of his officials. I am confident that we shall enjoy a similar good relationship with Lord McNally’s successor, Lord Faulks.”
Closer day-to-day contact
Senator Gorst added: “The focus by the Ministry of Justice on core constitutional responsibilities has been very successful, and we are also grateful for their support, as needed, in dealings with other departments in Whitehall. For our part, we have also made considerable efforts to develop this most important relationship with the UK. We now have a London office which enables us to maintain even closer day-to-day contact.”
A States of Jersey media release on the original Justice Committee report in 2010 can be found on the States website, and more information on today's report is available on the UK Parliament website.
Commons Select Committee media release on UK Parliament website
gov.je