Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the process of appointing a new Governor for the Turks and Caicos Islands, they will consider the importance of promoting and encouraging tourism and businesses in that sector in those Islands.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office recruitment process looks for the best candidate who can demonstrate they have the skills to meet the challenges of the position of Governor. The position is advertised across the civil service. The Governor as Her Majesty The Queen's representative has responsibility for security, external affairs and defence. Although the locally elected Government is responsible for tourism and business, Governors of course have an important role to play in supporting the prosperity of the Overseas Territories.

As has been the established practice since 2002, I wrote to the Turks and Caicos Islands Premier last September asking for her views on the qualities and expertise needed for a new Governor.