HC Deb 24 June 1991 vol 193 cc361-2W
Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Chief Ministers of(a) British Virgin Islands, (b) Turks and Caicos Islands, (c) Anguilla, (d) Montserrat, (e) Bermuda and (f) Cayman Islands; and what subjects were discussed in each case.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

During my time in office I have met all the Chief Ministers of the Caribbean Dependent Territories. The Cayman Islands do not have a Chief Minister. I met Executive Council Members during my visit to Grand Cayman on 6 December 1990. I look forward to meeting the recently elected Chief Minister of Turks and Caicos Islands in London on 10 July. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met the Premier of Bermuda on 27 November 1990 in London.

The United Kingdom's commitment to the good government of the territories and the ways in which we can assist the local governments with their economic and social developments were discussed at all these meetings.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had or proposes with the Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands about the appointment of the new governor.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Following normal procedure Mr. Stoutt has already been advised of the appointment of the next governor in advance of the official announcement which is expected shortly.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations have been undertaken with the Government of the British Virgin Islands on capital punishment; what was their result; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The views of the Governments of all the Caribbean Dependent Territories on capital punishment are well known and were carefully considered before the decision to abolish capital punishment for murder in the Caribbean Dependent Territories was taken. I discussed them with the Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands in London in March and when I visited the islands in April.

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