CHIEF Minister Allan Bell insisted the island has nothing to fear from a further review into how the island’s constitutional relationship with the UK is managed.
It was announced last week that a House of Commons select committee is looking at progress achieved since the publication of its 2010 report on the Crown Dependencies.
The House of Commons Justice Committee, headed by Sir Alan Beith MP, will assess the extent to which the recommendations of the original report have been implemented over the past three years.
This latest inquiry will focus on four main areas – scrutiny of Crown Dependencies legislation by the Ministry of Justice, consultation by government departments on UK legislation in which they have an interest, issues relating to the good governance and international representation.
Mr Bell said there was no cause for concern. ‘We have an exceptionally good relationship with the Ministry of Justice at this time.’ he said.
The Isle of Man will make a written submission to the committee.
Mr Bell said: ‘The island greatly valued the support provided by the Ministry of Justice. We engage positively with the original inquiry and the resulting report supported the Isle of Man’s desire to enhance its international profile and develop further opportunities to represent itself on the world stage.’
He added: ‘We welcome this opportunity to reflect on how the implementation of recommendations in the 2010 report has affected the operation of our constitutional relationship with the UK government.
‘We will be expressing our views to the Committee and look forward to further strengthening our links with the Ministry of Justice in the future.’
The 2010 report examined how the UK government fulfils its constitutional responsibilities for the Crown Dependencies, primarily through the Ministry of Justice.
It acknowledged the Isle of Man as a ‘democratic, self-governing community’ and recognised our ‘essential independence’ from the UK.
Mr Bell said: ‘It is important to stress that, as was the case with the original enquiry, this latest review is not about the constitutional relationship between the Isle of Man and the UK, it is about the way in which that relationship is handled by the Ministry of Justice.’
He said the new inquiry will allow the island to make suggestions on any areas where they could be scope for further development.’
