Turks and Caicos Islands (Hansard, 6 March 1996)

§ Mr. Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a Minister of the British Government last visited the Turks and Caicos Islands; and for what purpose. [19140]

§ Sir Nicholas Bonsor
The last ministerial visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands was in April 1995, when the Solicitor-General paid a familiarisation visit to the islands, en route to the Caribbean Dependent Territories Attorney-General's conference in the Cayman Islands.

§ Mr. Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff presently serve in the Turks and Caicos Islands; and of what grades. [19141]

§ Mr. Hanley
Three Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff are serving in the Turks and Caicos Islands. One diplomatic service grade 4 officer; one diplomatic service grade 7 officer; and one secretary.

§ Mr. Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received from Ministers in the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands about the conduct of the governor of the islands; and from which Ministers. [19142]
259W

§ Sir Nicholas Bonsor
On 20 May 1994, the then Chief Minister wrote to the then Foreign Secretary, the right hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd). The Chief Minister subsequently wrote on 27 June 1994 to the then Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, claiming that his original letter was meant as a direct criticism not of the governor, but of the balance of constitutional powers.
On 21 February this year, all six Ministers of the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, together with the other elected members, and two out of the three nominated members of the Legislative Council, signed a petition to my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary demanding the recall of the governor.

§ Mr. Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands; and if he discussed with him the incidence of corruption in the islands. [19143]

§ Sir Nicholas Bonsor
My right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd) the then Foreign Secretary, met the Governor-designate of the Turks and Caicos Islands in May 1993, shortly before Mr. Bourke took up his appointment. They discussed the importance of good government in the islands, but did not discuss specific instances of corruption.