§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues were discussed at the last meeting of the British Overseas Territories Consultative Council; and if he will make a statement. [142471]
§ Mr. BattleAt the meeting of the Overseas Territories Consultative Council held in October this year, a full exchange of views took place on the relationship between the UK and the territories, and on international financial initiatives, immigration and nationality matters, internal security including police and prison services, accessible justice and sustainable development.
§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress on the implementation of the policies set out in the White Paper, Partnership for Progress and Prosperity. [142470]
§ Mr. BattleConsiderable progress has been made in key areas covered by the White Paper. Partnership between the political leaders of the territories and the Government has been strengthened by two meetings of the annual Consultative Council and visits by Baroness Scotland, Minister with responsibility for the Overseas Territories, to several territories; constitutional modernisation has been promoted in several territories with amendments already agreed for both the British Virgin Islands and Montserrat; a number of programmes to support good governance in such areas as police and prison services, disaster preparedness, and public service management have been supported, and a number of strategic environmental projects funded in all territories; capital punishment for murder and judicial corporal punishment have been abolished in all territories;146W an Order in Council to de-criminalise homosexual acts between consenting adults in private is before the Privy Council; and an independent review of the regulation of financial sectors in the Overseas Territories was published in October. Preparations for an Overseas Territories Bill granting British citizenship have reached an advanced stage.
§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to introduce legislation offering British citizenship to citizens of the British Overseas Territories; and if he will make a statement. [142469]
§ Mr. BattleWe are fully committed to introducing legislation to give British citizenship to the people of the Overseas Territories. We will make Parliamentary time available to introduce the legislation for this measure as soon as practicable. Preparatory work has been done to agree the principles of such a Bill along with drafting instructions for Parliamentary Counsel.