The Government and the Opposition have welcomed plans for an inquiry into British Overseas Territories - with the latter planning to use the review to press its case for a Royal Commission into the Bermuda Housing Corporation scandal.

The Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) of the UK House of Commons will begin the comprehensive inquiry into all 14 territories in November, looking at standards of governance, transparency and accountability, the role of governors and regulation of the financial sector.

Anyone can submit evidence to the inquiry - and Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley said yesterday that his party looked forward to presenting “our good governance plans”.

Premier Ewart Brown said he “very much welcomed” the audit, adding: “The FAC review will provide a useful and timely channel for dialogue with the UK parliament on many issues of importance to Bermuda and other Overseas Territories.”

Khalid Wasi, spokesman for the All Bermuda Congress (ABC), a new political party hoping to win parliamentary seats at the next general election, said he too would make submissions, including a request for a referendum on independence.

Mr. Dunkley’s party has called for a Royal Commission into an investigation of corruption at Bermuda Housing Corporation, which led to allegations against the Premier and other Progressive Labour Party politicians.

The United Bermuda Party leader - who was in London for talks with Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials last month - said he felt the FCA inquiry was “timely and highly relevant”.

“Although we understand the inquiry by the Foreign Affairs Committee includes all UK overseas territories, we think its focus on standards of governance, transparency and accountability are in keeping with Bermuda’s immediate needs and concerns,” he said.

“Regardless of the committee’s work, we remain firm in our belief that a Royal Commission is the best way to clear the air and provide a process to answer the many outstanding questions stemming from the BHC investigation and its handling.

“That was the position we laid out in meetings at the House of Commons two weeks ago and it may well be something the committee recommends following its inquiry here in Bermuda.”

It is not yet known if the review will see members of the committee - which includes Labour Party backbencher Andrew Mackinlay, who has called for the abolition of conscription in Bermuda - visit the Island. Deputy Governor Mark Capes said: “In the course of conducting such an inquiry, we would expect the FAC to visit one or more of the Overseas Territories but that is entirely a matter for the FAC to decide.”

He added: “Like other select committees, the FAC is one of the key structures to ensure accountability in the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy. It plays an important role in monitoring the policies and performance of the FCO.”

The main focus of the inquiry, the first such in nine years and due to start in November, will be security and good governance. The work of the Overseas Territories Consultative Council will also be considered, plus procedures for the amendment of constitutions; human rights; the application of international treaties, conventions and other agreements to the Overseas Territories; and relations between the Territories and the UK parliament.

Dr. Brown said the review was in keeping with issues raised at last year’s meetings of the Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC) in London. Back then, he called for Governor Sir John Vereker to take a greater public role in policing and urged, along with other Overseas Territories’ leaders, that governors be barred from future OTCC meetings.

The announcement of the FAC inquiry comes less than two weeks after the Foreign and Commonwealth Office reissued a 2003 paper giving guidance on good governance in the Overseas Territories.

The UK National Audit Office is also carrying out a review of the effectiveness of the FCO’s work in relation to the Territories, with a report expected in the fall.

Mr. Wasi said the inquiry was excellent news. “I don’t think anyone should take this as any kind of colonial move,” he added.

Mr. Capes said: “Anyone can volunteer to submit evidence to the FAC, orally or in writing. But the FAC can request - or ‘send for’ - UK government officials to attend sittings of the committee to answer questions. The FAC can also consult any individual or organisation on issues relevant to their inquiry. The committee decides what use to make of any information it receives.”

For more information on submitting evidence visit www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/foreign_affairs_committee.cfm.

UK Parliament committee to review Territories policy