HL Deb 21 January 2003 vol 643 c83WA
Lord Wallace of Saltaire

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are accountable to Parliament for their oversight of the Crown Dependencies; and, if so, how that accountability is assured. [HL938]

The Lord Chancellor

The three Crown Dependencies are the bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey and the Isle of Man. They all have full internal self-government and their own legislatures. They are not represented in the United Kingdom Parliament. The United Kingdom is responsible for the islands' international relations and for their defence and the Crown is ultimately responsible for their good government. I am the Privy Counsellor primarily concerned with the affairs of the Crown Dependencies and, as a Minister of the Crown, am accountable to Parliament.