The Virgin Islands Constitution (Amendment) Order 2015

Made8th October 2015

Laid before Parliament15th October 2015

Coming into force5th November 2015

At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 8th day of October 2015

Present,

The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council

Her Majesty, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 5 and 7 of the West Indies Act 19621 and of all other powers enabling Her to do so, is pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, to order as follows:

Citation, construction and commencement1.

(1)

This Order may be cited as the Virgin Islands Constitution (Amendment) Order 2015 and comes into force on 5th November 2015.

(2)

The Virgin Islands Constitution Order 20072 (hereinafter referred to as the “principal Order”) and this Order shall be construed as one and may be cited together as the Virgin Islands Constitution Orders 2007 to 2015.

Amendment of principal Order2.

The principal Order is amended by inserting after section 52 the following—

“52A.
(1)
The Governor, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier, may appoint no more than two Junior Ministers from among the elected members of the House of Assembly to assist in the performance of Ministerial functions relating to economic development.
(2)
Section 50(1) shall apply in relation to Junior Ministers as it applies in relation to public officers.
(3)
Sections 3(1)(b), 52(5) and (6), 53(3) and (4), 54, 56, 69(3) and 112(4) shall apply in relation to Junior Ministers as they apply in relation to Ministers.
(4)
Sections 61, 69(4) and (5) and 74(1) shall apply in relation to Junior Ministers as they apply in relation to members of the Cabinet.”.

Richard Tilbrook

Clerk of the Privy Council

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007 to allow for the appointment of up to two Junior Ministers to assist Ministers in the performance of their functions relating to economic development and makes corresponding consequential amendments.