Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Deferred
Paragraph: 65
Explore options with Government of Jersey to streamline Royal Assent process for legislation.
Recommendation
We are pleased to hear that the process by which Royal Assent is granted to primary legislation from Guernsey is being streamlined, similar to that which already operates for the Isle of Man, and anticipate that, once implemented, it will avoid the delay which occurs during periods when the Privy Council does not sit. We note that a similar process could readily be implemented in Jersey, but this is obviously a matter for the Government of Jersey to determine. In the meantime, we recommend that the Ministry of Justice explores with the Government of Jersey the potential options for streamlining their process of obtaining Royal Assent.
Government Response Summary
The government provided a general statement about the Ministry of Justice's role in coordinating cross-departmental issues affecting Crown Dependencies, entirely unrelated to the recommendation about streamlining Jersey's Royal Assent process.
Paragraph Reference:
65
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
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.