§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Lord Privy Seal which of the functions of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, other than that of issuing United Kingdom passports, involves the exercise of the Royal Prerogative.
284W
§ Sir Ian GilmourThe powers to conduct foreign relations, to appoint ambassadors, diplomatic agents, consular and other officers through whom relations with foreign states are conducted, and to make treaties., are vested in the Crown, and are exercised by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under and by virtue of the Royal Prerogative. The Secretary of State also exercises certain powers under the Royal Prerogative in relation to the governance of dependent territories. Among the detailed functions which the Secretary of State exercised under and by virtue of the Royal Prerogative are the following:
- (i) the signature of governmental instruments of ratification, accession, acceptance or approval in respect of treaties;
- (ii) the issuance of governmental full powers for negotiation and signature of treaties;
- (iii) the issuance of credentials for British Government delegates at conferences or other formal meetings or ceremonies abroad;
- (iv) counter-signature of the Royal Warrant authorising the use of the Great Seal of the Realm;
- (v) counter-signature beneath that of Her Majesty on Commissions, Royal Instructions, warrants and letters patent issued to governors of the dependent territories;
- (vi) the counter-signing of exequators and Diplomatic Service and consular commissions; and
- (vii) the issuance of despatches to officers administering the government of dependent territories.
This list is not exhaustive of all the functions which the Secretary of State may perform in exercise of the Royal Prerogative in the field of foreign relations, but is rather intended to be illustrative of some of the principal prerogative functions performed in that field.