§ 1. Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what subjects were discussed during his recent visit to the Channel Islands; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Leon Brittan)The main purpose of my visit was to acquaint myself with the islands and I greatly appreciated this opportunity to do so. A number of matters were raised with me informally during the visit, including the United Kingdom request for a contribution towards defence and international representation costs on behalf of the islands.
§ Mr. FoulkesI am grateful to the Home Secretary for that reply. During his visit to Guernsey, was his attention drawn to the cases of Maurice Kirk and Joseph Gillow? The right hon and learned Gentleman has powers to intervene under the Criminal Justice Act 1961 in one case and has general powers in relation to the Channel Islands. As Maurice Kirk is on hunger strike in appalling conditions in Guernsey prison, and as Joseph Gillow is unable to live in a house which he owns, how many more breaches of human rights must there be on the islands before the right hon. and learned Gentleman exercises his statutory constitutional rights and responsibilities and intervenes in the islands' affairs?
§ Mr. BrittanThe case of Mr. and Mrs Gillow, which involves Guernsey's housing laws, is before the European Commission of Human Rights. As regards Mr. Kirk, the administration of criminal justice in Guernsey is a matter for the island authorities.
§ Mr. FoulkesThe Home Secretay has powers.
§ Mr. BrittanStatutory powers exist for the United Kingdom Government, but the practice is that transfers of prisoners from Guernsey to the mainland are made in accordance with agreements with the islands for adult males sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment or more, and that is not Mr. Kirk's position.
§ Mr. WatsonWill my right hon. and learned Friend confirm that the tax arrangements in the Channel Islands frequently have the effect of bringing into the sterling area foreign investment capital which would not otherwise arrive? Is it the Government's policy to encourage, rather than to abolish, these arrangements?
§ Mr. BrittanI can confirm that the tax regime that is operated in the Channel Islands is a matter for the islands and that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is satisfied that he has adequate powers to protect the interests of the United Kingdom. We are entirely content with the existing arrangements, which have the benefits to which my hon. Friend referred.