Bermuda (Hansard, 29 October 2002)

§ Lord Waddington
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether a constitutional conference will be held before any amendment to the Bermuda constitution is made following the report of the Constituency Boundaries Commission.

§ Baroness Crawley
My Lords, there are no plans at present for a constitutional conference. The Government have the matter under consideration and no options have been ruled out at this stage.

§ Lord Waddington
My Lords, I thank the Minister for her reply, but has not the boundary commission recommended important changes, including a reduction in the number of Members of Parliament and a change from two-member to single-member constituencies, using powers given to it by a change in the constitution brought about by Order in Council? Surely, before its recommendations are implemented wholly or in part by another Order in Council, bringing about another change in the constitution, there should be a constitutional conference. That would be in accordance with precedent and would quell the fears of those who feel that an unfortunate precedent would be set if there were no constitutional conference. In future, when more important proposals are in the offing, such a precedent might then be used to deny a constitutional conference.

§ Baroness Crawley
My Lords, I disagree with the noble Lord, Lord Waddington, who I know has a long, important association with Bermuda. As I said in my Answer, no options have been ruled out at this stage, so it would be premature to consider an Order in Council, for instance, at this stage.
I remind the House that we are at the second stage of a two-stage process deliberately put into effect by the Government precisely because of the concern expressed by the noble Lord. As he will know, the first stage was to set up and task the boundary commission. Under the second stage, which we are now in, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary will read the boundary commission's report; in consultation with legal advisers and other Ministers, he will read the report of the 10-hour debate that has just taken place in the House of Assembly in Bermuda; and, considering the advice of the Governor of Bermuda, will then take a course of action.

§ Baroness Sharples
My Lords, is the Minister aware that I was in Bermuda earlier this year, when concern was expressed on all sides—political and nonpolitical—about the possibility that there would not be a constitutional conference?

§ Baroness Crawley
Yes, my Lords, I was aware that the noble Baroness had been to Bermuda, and know of her long and keen association with Bermuda. As I said 109 to the noble Lord, Lord Waddington, concern has been expressed from various quarters about change to the constitution bringing about both the new number of constituencies and constituency boundary changes. Although, as I said, our minds remain open on constitutional conferences, referendums and many other matters raised by noble Lords, we want to proceed cautiously, with the fullest consultation. Because of the interest that she takes in the matter, the noble Baroness will know that there has been a great deal of consultation with the population of Bermuda during the whole process.

§ Lord Howe of Aberavon
My Lords—

§ Lord Avebury
My Lords

§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)
My Lords, I think that it must be the turn of the noble Lord, Lord Avebury.

§ Lord Avebury
My Lords, I am most grateful. Is the Minister aware that a substantial body of opinion in Bermuda claims that the changes now being sought are fundamental, and that, as the noble Lord, Lord Waddington, said, precedent has always been that a constitutional conference be held to consider such matters? How do the Government intend to decide between the various options available? Will due weight be given to the representations that, as the noble Baroness will acknowledge, have been made by organisations holding that point of view?

§ Baroness Crawley
My Lords, we will give due weight to all the representations that have been made from all quarters. The noble Lord mentioned a precedent. He will, perhaps, know that on only two of the six previous occasions on which there has been constitutional change in Bermuda was a constitutional conference called. In that sense, there is no precedent. However, we rule nothing out and nothing in.

§ Lord Howe of Aberavon
My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, for his willingness to concede. We are both much too ready to give way to each other. I will not begin to compete with either of my noble friends in their expertise and knowledge about the territory of Bermuda.
In several answers, the noble Baroness has valiantly presented the fact that no option has been ruled out and that minds are still open. Would it not make sense for the Secretary of State to be more forthcoming? It is clear that there is continuing anxiety in a territory with a long political history that is of some economic importance. It would make sense to concede the constitutional conference that has been requested.

§ Baroness Crawley
My Lords, I have had the opportunity to read the correspondence between the noble and learned Lord, Lord Howe of Aberavon, and Ministers. I know that he takes a keen interest in the matter.
110 It would be premature for the Foreign Secretary to make a decision before he had officially received the report of the boundary commission, the official advice of the Governor of Bermuda and the transcript of the 10-hour debate in the Parliament in Bermuda. There has been a great deal of concern, as reflected in questions from noble Lords in all parts of the House this afternoon, but there has also been, in some quarters, a great deal of enthusiasm for boundary change, in the narrow sense in which we are discussing it.
Some people in Bermuda feel that change would bring about fairer representation of voter numbers. For instance, each constituency would have approximately 1,100 people per elected MP, rather than the previous uneven distribution. Proposed constituency boundary lines would be more reflective of the population's distribution than those based on the historic parish divisions. So, concern has been expressed, but there has also been enthusiasm for the proposals.

§ Lord Williams of Mostyn
My Lords, we must move on to the Question in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Marlesford. He has eagerly anticipated it for the past five years.