Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 28
Ministry of Justice must facilitate dialogue in Crown Dependency-UK departmental disputes
Conclusion
The advent of direct engagement between the Crown Dependencies and UK Government departments raises the question of the Ministry of Justice’s role in the event of a disconnect or dispute arising between a Crown Dependency and a department. We agree with Minister Freer that the Ministry of Justice’s role is to ensure that the Crown Dependencies’ interests are understood and to facilitate dialogue and understanding between the parties and enable them to move forward.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges that the Ministry of Justice normally coordinates cross-departmental issues affecting Crown Dependencies and will continue to work to ensure their interests are represented across Whitehall.
Paragraph Reference:
28
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
19. The Government recognises that there may be occasions when cross- departmental coordination is needed to address complex or contentious issues affecting the Crown Dependencies. Normally this coordination would be undertaken by the Ministry of Justice as the department responsible for managing the UK’s constitutional relationship with the Crown Dependencies. In certain circumstances the Ministry of Justice may need to consider possible routes of escalation, which may include a Ministry of Justice Minister writing to other Government departments, or could include seeking assistance from the centre of Government by asking the Cabinet Office to lend support. 20. However, we consider that this should remain a rare exception rather than a routine practice, reflecting the role of the Lord Chancellor as the Privy Counsellor with responsibility for advising the Crown on matters relating to the Crown Dependencies, and the Ministry of Justice’s responsibility for overseeing and supporting the constitutional relationship between the UK and the Crown Dependencies. 21. The Ministry of Justice will continue to work with the Cabinet Office and other relevant departments to help ensure that the Crown Dependencies’ interests are properly represented and respected across Whitehall.