HC Deb 27 March 1986 vol 94 c538W
Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands following the burning down of a Government office building on 31 December 1985.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

On new year's eve 1985 certain Government offices in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a United Kingdom dependent territory, were gutted by fire. Arson was suspected and in the light of preliminary investigations carried out by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands police force, which brought to light evidence suggesting not only arson but a conspiracy to commit this and possible other serious offences, I have decided, in consultation with the Governor of the Islands, that it is necessary, in the interests of the good government of the territory, to set up a commission of inquiry.

The commission will be headed by Mr. Louis Blom-Cooper QC and its terms of reference will be:

  1. (a) to inquire into the alleged arson of Government offices on Grand Turk; and into
  2. (b) allegations of corruption in the public works department; and into
  3. (c) any other matters related thereto.

The commission will aim to submit its report by 1 June.

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