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by pltm
(PLTM) - The Government has confirmed that submissions to the inquiry into the future of the United Kingdom’s (UK) Overseas Territories (OTs), which is being conducted by the UK’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee, have been made.
In a press release dated September 21, Premier, the Honourable Dr. D. Orlando Smith is on record as saying, “The Foreign Affairs Select Committee has significant influence both on foreign policy and on the activities of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and its recommendations are taken seriously by the UK Government.”
As such, he posited that it was crucial that the submissions be made on a timely basis, saying “All effort was made to ensure a timely, careful response which made clear my Government’s position on these questions of serious concern.”
According to the press release, “The Government while preparing its submission, invited the public to participate in a special radio programme hosted by the Premier’s Office to discuss the inquiry and share their thoughts and ideas, as well as to make written submissions directly to the committee.”
The inquiry was announced on July 20, and was launched with the objective of considering the resilience of the OTs, how effectively the Foreign and Commonwealth Office manages its responsibilities towards them, and how it envisages their future.
It is also aimed at addressing the governance of the OTs, the benefits to the UK and the OTs of the relationships between them, the financing of the OTs, representation of the the OTs in the UK and in the Commonwealth and other international fora, as well as assets and liabilities.
The deadline for submitting evidence was September 18, which was an extension from the previous given date.
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