§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he undertakes before appointing a Governor, Speaker and three members of the Legislative Council for the Cayman Islands.
§ Mr. OnslowAfter seeking advice from departments within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend consults my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the selection of a Governor and then advises the Queen on the appointment. The Governor normally acts as Speaker of the Legislative Council. He recommends to my right hon. Friend the appointment of three official members, the Chief Secretary, the Financial Secretary and the Attorney-General.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to introducing direct elections for all members of the Cayman Islands Legislative Council.
§ Mr. OnslowNone. Twelve members of the Cayman Islands Legislative Council are already elected in accordance with the provisions of the Cayman Islands (Constitution) Order 1972 and in the manner provided by laws in force in the islands. My right hon. Friend would not wish to relinquish his responsibility for approving the selection of the three official members while the Cayman Islands remains at its present constitutional stage.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the duties and responsibilities of the Governor of the Cayman Islands.
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§ Mr. OnslowThe Governor of the Cayman Islands is responsible to my right hon. Friend and through him to the Queen, the Government and the Parliament of the United Kingdom. His duties are those confered upon him in accordance with the provisions of the Cayman Islands (Constitution) Order 1972 and local legislation. These include special responsibility for defence, external affairs, internal security and the police.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current strength of the police force on the Cayman Islands; and to whom it is ultimately responsible.
§ Mr. OnslowThe current strength of the police force on the Cayman Islands is 140 officers and men. It is ultimately responsible, through the Governor, to my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what responsibility he has for the fiscal and monetary matters of the Cayman Islands.
§ Mr. OnslowMy right hon. friend has ultimate responsibility for the fiscal and monetary matters of the Cayman Islands. A very large measure of initial responsibility has, however, been delegated to the local Government.