The following letter to His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Alistair Harrison, came to the attention of The Anguillian from a source outside the Governor’s office and is published hereunder in the public’s interest.
Dear Governor,
25 March 2013
Sustainability in the Overseas Territories Inquiry
The Environmental Audit Committee is undertaking an inquiry on Sustainability in the Overseas territories, very much following on from the Committee’s earlier inquiries in this area. The Committee’s remit is to investigate the work of UK government departments and make recommendations for improvements. Although the environment is a devolved matter, our Committee is keen to explore whether the UK Government is providing enough support to the overseas territories and fulfilling its international obligations concerning the environment and biodiversity.
A key part of our evidence gathering will be to seek the views of the territories themselves. We have heard in person from environmental officials from St Helena and the Turks and Caicos Islands and we are keen to gather the views from other territories. I realise that the Committee has already received some written evidence on the issues outlined in the terms of reference. However, we would very much welcome any responses you have to the following more detailed questions by 18 April:
• What role do you have in regards to the environment in your territory, both in terms of overall strategy and on particular developments/projects in the territory?
• How much of a priority is the environment and sustainable development to the government of the territory? How do you engage with the territory’s government on these issues? Are there any particular examples of where developments/projects have proceeded which would damage the environment, and what if any input did you make in such cases?
• What pieces of environmental protection legislation remain in draft form in your territory? Is there any draft environmental legislation that has stalled? Have you declined previously to enact any environmental legislation and what were the reasons behind that decision(s)?
• What is the nature and frequency of your contact with UK government departments and UK Ministers on environmental or economic development issues in the territory?
• What scrutiny mechanisms are in place in your territory to hold the territory Government to account for their environmental practices?
• Given your role in regards to standards in public office, on what environmental grounds would you seek to remove territory government officials from office?
We would publish any response as evidence alongside our future report.
Please do get in touch with the Committee team if you would like to discuss, +44 (0) 219 2878. I am similarly writing to the territory’s government to seek their perspective.
Joan Walley MP
Chair
