To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of 28 February 2000, what representations he has made to the Government of Bermuda on legislative proposals to amend section 17(2) of the Court of Appeal Act 1964 of Bermuda regarding the grounds for appeal to the Court of Appeal against a judgment of the Supreme Court; and if he will make a statement. (208772)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made no representations to the Government of Bermuda on proposals to amend section 17(2) of the Bermuda Court of Appeal Act 1964.

We are aware of a motion put down in the Bermuda House of Assembly in March, noting the need to reform the law relating to double jeopardy where new evidence has emerged. We understand that the Government of Bermuda has not included any proposals to amend the Court of Appeal Act in its current legislative programme. Any change to the 1964 Act is a matter for the legislature of Bermuda.