Bermuda (Hansard, 11 July 2001)

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what plans he has to consult Parliament about proposed amendments to the Bermuda constitution; and if he will make a statement; [3043]
(2) if he will take steps to ensure that no Order in Council to amend the Bermuda constitution is enacted without hon. Members being given a reasonable period of time to consider the proposed amendments; and if he will make a statement. [3034]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
Orders in Council to amend the Bermuda constitution are made under Section 1 of the Bermuda Constitution Act 1967, which provides that any such Order shall be laid before Parliament after being made.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it a requirement that there is general agreement by all relevant parties in Bermuda about the membership and terms of reference and functions of the proposed boundary commission to be set up consequent on amendments sought to the Bermuda constitution by the Bermuda Government. [3035]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The composition and terms of reference of the Bermuda Constituency Boundaries Commission are laid down in the Bermuda constitution. There is no intention to change the composition of the commission. Consultations have been undertaken with the political parties in Bermuda about the terms of reference and functions of the commission, with a view to that body making recommendations regarding possible single-member constituencies.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the(a) Governor and (b) Deputy Governor of Bermuda is paid; by whom; and what other allowances and emoluments accrue to each office. [3039]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The Government of Bermuda make provision in their budget for salary and other allowances of the Governor, and for the Governor's office. The Governor is paid in accordance with Bermuda civil service pay scales; the Deputy Governor, who is a member of HM diplomatic service, is paid in accordance with FCO pay scales.
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§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the use of conscription in Bermuda; and if he will make a statement. [2492]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
Conscription is regulated by the Bermuda Defence Act 1965. Amendment to this Act requires legislation in the House of Assembly in Bermuda.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the new Governor of Bermuda will be appointed. [2854]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
An announcement will be made in the usual way at the appropriate time.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the process of consultation followed by his Department in respect of the appointment of the Governor of Bermuda. [2855]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The Governor of Bermuda is appointed following consultation with the Premier of Bermuda.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set up a constitutional conference prior to amending the Bermuda constitution by Order in Council. [3036]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
There is no requirement to call a constitutional conference before amendment of the Bermuda constitution. But consideration of the most appropriate way forward is given on a case-by-case basis.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates(a) the Governor and (b) Foreign Office Ministers met (i) Bermuda Government Ministers and (ii) members of the Bermuda parliamentary Opposition to discuss proposals to amend the Bermuda constitution by Order in Council in the last two years. [3038]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The information is as follows:

(a) The Governor frequently meets Government of Bermuda Ministers and Opposition members. Meetings specifically to discuss proposals to amend Bermuda's constitution were hosted by the Governor at Government House in April 2001. Several Government Ministers and members of the opposition attended these talks.

(b) FCO Ministers met Government of Bermuda Ministers to discuss proposals to amend the Bermuda constitution in October 2000 and December 2000. They met members of the Bermuda parliamentary Opposition in December 2000 and January 2001.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions a constitutional conference has been held prior to amendments being approved by Order in Council to the Bermuda constitution since 1971. [3037]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
Once, in 1979.