Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Accepted
Paragraph: 74
Review Ministry of Justice guidance, emphasising ongoing consultation throughout UK legislation affecting Crown Dependencies.
Recommendation
We note the concerns raised in the evidence about the extent of the Home Office’s consultation with the Government of Guernsey on the Illegal Migration Bill. The Ministry of Justice’s Crown Dependency team should initiate a dialogue as soon as possible between the relevant officials in the Home Office and the Government of Guernsey so that concerns can be discussed and addressed for the future. The Ministry of Justice should review its guidance on the extension of UK legislation to the Crown Dependencies with a view to ensuring that sufficient emphasis is placed on the need for ongoing consultation—or, as the Minister said, to “remain in touch”—throughout the passage of a bill and as new versions and draft clauses are published.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of ongoing consultation and commits to updating the Ministry of Justice’s “How-To-Note” guidance to emphasize that departments must keep Crown Dependencies informed throughout the passage of a bill.
Paragraph Reference:
74
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
61. The Government agrees with the Committee on the importance of ongoing consultation when the UK is making legislation which affects the Crown Dependencies. 62. When bills are complex and fast-moving, however, the legislative timetable may not always allow for engagement as early or as frequently as the Government would wish. In the case of the Illegal Migration Act 2023, engagement did not happen as early as would have been preferred, but there was engagement with all of the Crown Dependencies through regular meetings, emails and sharing of draft clauses at the earliest opportunity. 63. The Ministry of Justice will emphasise the need for departments to keep the Crown Dependencies informed of developments as a bill progresses through Parliament in its updated “How-To-Note” guidance on the extension of UK legislation to the Crown Dependencies.