Recommendation 32

We are satisfied that the existing conventions are strong enough to ensure that a treaty will not be extended to the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories without their consent. This consent should also be communicated to Parliament at the point where the Government seeks to extend territorial applicability to include one or more jurisdictions. The changes to require the Government to seek Parliament’s approval for all treaties will mean that treaties which include, or are to be extended to, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, would require the approval of the House of Commons. A convention should be established between Parliament and the Government whereby the House of Commons would not be called upon to approve a treaty or extension of a treaty solely relating to a Crown Dependency or an Overseas Territory when the relevant jurisdictions had not yet expressed their approval. (Paragraph 143) Parliamentary Scrutiny of International Agreements in the 21st century 67