BACKGROUND
CONFIDENTIAL
A
Mr Campbell Savours asked an earlier question on the exercise of the
Crown perogative in Dependent Territories. Mr Eggar replied that it
was not possible to give a general account. He has followed this
with two further questions, one asking for information on the exercise of the prerogative in the Falkland Islands, the other in
Hong Kong. The replies submitted to both questions have been discussed with the respective Legal Advisers and with WIAD (Mr
Wallace, Adviser on Dependent Territories).
The replies set out the constitutional position governing the
exercise of the prerogative in the two territories. It would not be
practicable to list all the directions given under the prerogative
to the Governors, not least because Mr Campbell-Savours has
specified no time limit, nor would it be proper to reveal what in a large number of cases are confidential instructions and advice. The Hong Kong and Falkland Islands Governments have been consulted
on the replies. In neither case would they wish examples of
instructions under the prerogative to be cited. It is not clear
what Mr Campbell-Savours particular interest is, though we suspect it may relate to security matters. It will be for him to specify in
a further question if he wishes, which aspect of the exercise of the prerogative in the two territories interests him.
Falkland Islands Department
February 1988
cc Mr Hum, Hong Kong Department
Mr Tatham, FID
Mrs Adam/Wallace, WIAD
Mr Wood, Legal Advisers
Mr Siddle, Legal Advisers Miss Foreman, PUSD
CONFIDENTIAT