Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted
Prepare MoJ education programme on constitutional relationship and remind new Ministers of responsibilities.
Conclusion
We believe there is a good understanding of the constitutional relationship across Whitehall as a result of the Ministry of Justice’s awareness-raising work. Nevertheless, to take account of turnover among officials and Ministers, the Ministry of Justice must ensure that these efforts are ongoing. Ahead of the general election, the Ministry of Justice should prepare a programme of education, guidance and awareness-raising on the constitutional relationship in case there is a new administration. The Lord Chancellor should write to each Minister in each UK government department as soon as possible after the general election to remind them of their responsibilities towards the Crown Dependencies. (Paragraph 20) Relationship between other UK Government departments and the Crown Dependencies
Government Response Summary
The government is developing a comprehensive education program for civil servants on the UK's constitutional relationship with Crown Dependencies, including new resources and exploring a learning module. The Lord Chancellor will also write to Cabinet colleagues after the general election to remind them of their responsibilities.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
11. The Government is grateful for the Committee’s acknowledgement of the Ministry of Justice’s efforts in promoting awareness of the UK’s constitutional relationship with the Crown Dependencies across Whitehall. We recognise nevertheless that this is a task that needs ongoing attention and updating. 12. To build on what has already been achieved the Ministry of Justice is developing a comprehensive approach to educating civil servants across Government departments about the constitutional relationship between the UK and the Crown Dependencies, including by delivering a series of presentations and webinars. We have produced new resources to support this work and are exploring possible inclusion of a Crown Dependency module in the curriculum of the ‘Civil Service Learning’ platform. 13. The Lord Chancellor will write to her Cabinet colleagues to remind them of their and their departments’ responsibilities under the constitutional relationship and to offer the Ministry of Justice’s help and advice on matters related to the Crown Dependencies. Relationship between other UK Government departments and the Crown Dependencies