His Excellency The Governor, Augustus J. U. Jaspert, has welcomed the response from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) report on ‘Global Britain and the British Overseas Territories: Resetting the relationship’ and said the United Kingdom’s commitment to the British Overseas Territories will not ‘waver’. Photo: VINO/File

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: The remit of the Foreign Affairs Committee's (FAC) is to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and other bodies associated with the FCO such as the British Council. Photo: Internet Source

The FCO’s response was published on May 13, 2019 and addressed the recommendations of the FAC, which included that the British Overseas Territories (OTs) be forced to legalise same-sex marriages.

The response also addressed the issues of public registers of beneficial ownership and voting rights.

According to Governor Jaspert, in a statement today, May 14, 2019, all of the FAC’s recommendations were given detailed consideration by the UK Government and the response to the FAC reflects that.

“The UK Government works hard to assist the Overseas Territories in building successful and resilient economies, improving standards of governance and protecting vulnerable groups; and providing support to aid protection of the environment. The UK’s commitment to these will not waver.”

FAC reports do not necessarily reflect views of UK Government

Governor Jaspert noted that the remit of the Foreign Affairs Committee's (FAC) is to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and other bodies associated with the FCO such as the British Council.

The United Kingdom’s Parliament House of Commons appoints the FAC. The FAC comprises 11 backbench Members or Parliament from Government and Opposition, to reflect the membership of the House of Commons. The current Chair of the FAC is Thomas G. J. Tugendhat MP.

“The Committee chooses its own inquiries and makes its own conclusions in its inquires and reports that do not necessarily reflect the view of the UK Government. Witnesses in an inquiry include ministers and officials from the FCO, together with a range of other witnesses depending on the nature of the inquiry,” Governor Jaspert stated.

See link to response by UK Government to FAC:

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmfaff/2174/217402.htm