MPs study relationship between UK and the Crown Dependencies
The relationship between the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man with the United Kingdom will be examined by the Justice Committee at one of its regular sessions on the subject.
The three island territories are not part of the UK but are self-governing dependencies of the Crown. However, the UK is responsible for their defence and international relations. This potentially complex relationship sometimes gives rise to constitutional and legal questions - about which laws apply where, for example, and how treaties signed by the UK might apply to the Dependencies.
Meeting details
The Justice Committee is holding the inquiry session because the Ministry of Justice has departmental responsibility for managing the constitutional relationship between the UK and the island territories. The areas of questioning likely to be aired at the meeting between the Committee and representatives of the Crown Dependencies include:
- The working relationship between the Crown Dependencies and the Ministry of Justice, as well as their relationship with the UK government;
- Participation in international treaties, including free trade agreements;
- The extension of UK legislation to the Crown Dependencies; and
- The future constitutional relationship between the Crown Dependencies, including on Letters of Entrustment (a delegation of authority which allows the Dependencies to commence negotiations and conclude international treaties), and the legislative process for obtaining Royal Assent.