The Government of the Virgin Islands has submitted its response to the UK Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Select Committee’s Inquiry into the future of the United Kingdom’s (UK) Overseas Territories (OTs).

Premier of the Virgin Islands, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE said, “The Foreign Affairs Select Committee has significant influence both on foreign policy and on the activities of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its recommendations are taken seriously by the UK Government.  It was therefore important that all effort was made to ensure a timely, careful response which made clear my Government’s position on these questions of serious concern.” 

The Government while preparing its submission invited the public to participate in a special radio programme hosted by the Premier’s Office to discuss the Inquiry and share their thoughts and ideas as well as to make written submissions directly to the committee.

The Inquiry will consider the resilience of the OTs, how effectively the Foreign and Commonwealth Office manages its responsibilities towards them, and how it envisions their future. It is likely to be structured around overarching themes that affect all OTs, but as necessary, may look at them individually.

Further details on the inquiry into the future of the OTs can be viewed here: https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/foreign-affairs-committee/news-parliament-2017/new-inquiries-launched-india-ots-17-19/