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3.3
Hebrides
There is an Administrator for the British Indian Ocean Territory who is the Head of East African Department. He is subordinate to the Commissioner of the British Indian Ocean Territory, an Under-Secretary in the FCO.
There is a "Commissioner" for Pitcairn. He is an administrative subordinate of the Governor
The OAG Anguilla is designated HM Commissioner
RESPONSIBILITIES
Constitutionally, the OAG is responsible to the Secretary of State, and through him to The Queen, the Government and the Parliament of the UK. But in a non-constitutional, but nevertheless real sense, he carries specific responsibilities towards three "estates" within his Territory:
to the people as a whole, who will expect him to represent their aspirations or fears to the metropolitan government
to his own "Establishment" ie the Council of Ministers or Executive Council which advises him as head of the Executive Government, and the Legislative Council, with whose advice and consent he makes laws for the people, order and good government of the Territory and on which he is dependent for the funds to carry out his administration
to the public service of the Territory, which serves him as head of the Executive Government (although in larger Territories the position of "Head of the Civil Service" may be ascribed to the Chief Secretary).
The OAG is The Queen's Representative. As such, he is the leader of society in the Territory: he must set the tone for all; he (and his wife) must exert themselves in the social and charitable fields; and he is the sole channel within the Territory through which honours may be recommended.
3.3
3.3.1
DUTIES AND POWERS
The duties of an OAG are both general and specific. Generally, he is required to maintain the peace, order and good government of the country, ie he must keep public order and security, assist the administration of justice, support public and private financial and commercial integrity, and pursue the economic and social development of the country in every way. Specifically, numerous duties are laid upon him in various fields by the Constitution, his Royal Instructions, Ordinances and other legislation of the Territory itself, or by directives from the Secretary of State. At least one prerogative of the Crown is also specifically delegated to him, the exercise of the Prerogative of Mercy within the DT.
October 1978
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