Written question asked by John Marek (Labour) on Monday, 6 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 November 2000. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 November 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the occasions on which the Governor of Saint Helena took executive action without the approval of the island's Legislative Council in each of the last two years, indicating those occasions on which prior consultation with his Department took place. - Including figures.

Answer: Dr. Marek: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions on which the Governor of Saint Helena took executive action without the approval of the island's Legislative Council in each of the last two years, indicating those occasions on which prior consultation with his Department took place. [137343] Mr. Battle: The Governor of St. Helena has used his reserved power under Section 34(1) of the St. Helena Constitution Order on two occasions in the past two years; 31 March 1998 and 31 March 1999. On each occasion he used his powers, on the advice of the Executive Council, to implement the budget after the Legislative Council had refused to pass it. He acted properly in line with the Constitution and with the full support of the Department on each occasion.

Secondary information