HC Deb 26 January 1995 vol 253 cc332-4W
Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 745, if the Governor of Bermuda is accountable to him for matters relating to policing in Bermuda.

Mr. Baldry

Section 62 of the Bermuda constitution states thatThe Governor, acting in his discretion, shall be responsible for the conduct subject to the provisions of this Constitution and any other law of any business of the Government, including the administration of any department of government, with respect to the following matters:

  1. (a) external affairs;
  2. (b) defence, including the armed forces;
  3. (c) internal security;
  4. (d) the police."

These 'reserve' powers of the Governor have been the subject of considerable delegation. Under (d) the following matters have been delegated to the Minister of Home Affairs: Establishment matters; Finance; General Organisation; Training; Recruitment Policy; Community Relations and Equipment.

In those areas of policing for which the Governor retains responsibility he is of course accountable to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 745, if he will make a statement on the relationship between the Governor of Bermuda, the Government of Bermuda, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and himself in relation to the administration of their colony.

Mr. Baldry

The relationship between HMG and Bermuda is governed by the constitution of that territory.

The FCO, as the Government Department responsible for co-ordinating policy towards the dependent territories, liaises with Bermudian Government departments through the governor. Under the constitution, the governor, in his discretion, has special responsibility for certain aspects of government which have not yet been delegated to a Bermudian Minister, for example external affairs, defence, internal security, and certain matters relating to the police. All other aspects of government are dealt with by the elected Government of Bermuda.

The governor is accountable to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, who in turn is ultimately responsible to Parliament for the good government of Bermuda.

Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many terrorist offences have occurred in Bermuda in each of the last three years.

Mr. Baldry

None.

Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 744, what allowances are payable to the new expatriate Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police in Bermuda; what is their value; if they would be payable to a Bermudian appointee; and what funding Her Majesty's Government are providing for the posts.

Mr. Baldry

There are no allowances payable to the expatriate commissioner and deputy commissioner of police which would not be payable to a Bermudian appointee. Her Majesty's Government provides no funds towards either post.

Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 744, how long the expatriate Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police in Bermuda will be required to remain in post; and if he will name them; and indicate from which United Kingdom police force they came.

Mr. Baldry

Three and two years respectively. Mr. Coxall, assistant chief commissioner of the City of London police, and Mr. Mylod deputy chief constable of Hampshire have been appointed as commissioner and deputy commissioner.

Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the crime statistics in Bermuda for each of the past five years.

Mr. Baldry

The statistics which are readily available are for the five years up to and including 1993. These are:

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
Crimes:
Against the person 409 466 428 474 483
Against property 3,558 4,291 4,515 3,936 5,216
Others, including drugs 1,173 861 714 792 625

Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 744, what training Her Majesty's Government are providing for Bermudian police officers with a view to their being appointed in future to the posts of commissioner and deputy commissioner of police.

Mr. Baldry

The commissioner of police will address the training requirements of the Bermuda police when he takes up his appointment. Officers at all levels of the Bermuda police force regularly attend police training courses in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who paid for the report compiled by HM Inspector-General of the Dependent Territories constabulary; if the report is a private document; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Baldry

The report was paid for jointly by the FCO and the Government of Bermuda. It was compiled for the Government of Bermuda and is confidential to that Government.