P&R is pleased UK report reflects its concerns
POLICY & RESOURCES has said it was pleased that a new report has reflected its concerns about the current constitutional relationship between the UK and the Crown Dependencies.
The House of Commons Justice committee published a critical report on the on the relationship between the UK and Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man yesterday.
The islands had raised concerns regarding the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership which included trade in goods, but not services, which was not ideal for the island’s service-based economies.
P&R member Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, who provided evidence to the Justice Committee for its report, said it greatly appreciated the recognition of the concerns raised in the island's evidence.
‘We welcome the recommendations, in particular relating to aspects of negotiations for and participation in free trade agreements and the need for the UK to ensure that it is acting in accordance with established and historic constitutional convention when representing the interests of the Crown Dependencies, even where those interests differ from the UK’s interests.’
Representatives from the Justice Committee visited Guernsey in September last year, as part of its inquiry into the constitutional relationship with the UK.
The Justice Committee said that the engagement offered lessons for how the Crown Dependencies could be more effectively involved in negotiations in the future.
It stated that the UK should seek to ensure that all future trade agreements should be covered by services as well as goods from the outset. If that was not possible, extension mechanisms should be sought.
If the islands were in disagreement with the UK, the MoJ should then find a mechanism for representation to serve the interests of both parties.
The report also criticised the UK government’s inclusion of a permissive extent clause in the Fisheries Bill, which was offered by the UK, rejected by the islands, and included in the law anyway, describing it as ‘extremely regrettable and contrary to the constitutional relationship’.
Deputy Le Tocq added that the committee was also pleased that the report continued to recognise Guernsey’s developing international identity.
‘These recommendations will be considered carefully by the UK Government,’ he said.
‘We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Ministry of Justice, and other UK Government departments, to strengthen the existing constitutional relationship and support the ongoing negotiations on UK free trade agreements to secure participation that meets the needs of Guernsey’s economy.’
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