Crown Dependencies: Legislation

Andrew Rosindell
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will review the time taken to promulgate Jersey legislation.

Mr. Wills
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor (Mr. Straw) is content that the existing arrangements for the promulgation of Jersey legislation provides for Her Majesty's Government to give effect to its constitutional responsibilities towards the Island. The time taken reflects the process that has to be undertaken which includes consultation with policy holding departments. The process provides the flexibility to process Jersey legislation on an urgent basis where there is a need to do so.

This process is kept under review.

Andrew Rosindell
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how the Department obtains the consent of the Crown Dependencies in circumstances where matters within the United Kingdom have legal implications for them.

Mr. Wills
UK legislation does not normally extend to the Crown Dependencies and is not extended to them without their consent. Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man may, however, request that UK legislation is extended to them and this can then be done through an Order in Council.

Treaties and international agreements are extended to the Crown Dependencies with their consent.

Andrew Rosindell
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will review current legislation or administrative practices that directly effect the Crown Dependencies with a view to improving police and criminal judicial co-operation between Crown Dependencies and European Union member states.

Mr. Wills
The Crown Dependencies are autonomous self-governing parliamentary democracies with their own legislatures. Legislation and administrative practices that affect Crown Dependencies are a matter for their respective governments. The governments of the UK and the Crown Dependencies routinely consider shared interests and approaches to improving police and criminal judicial co-operation not just between the UK and the Crown Dependencies but with other jurisdictions, including EU member states.