MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands Government renews Legislative Council website

The Falkland Islands Government has launched a new website - www.falklands.gov.fk/legco - which provides visitors with a comprehensive overview of the Legislative Council and the workings of the Government.

The Legislative Council is empowered to pass legislation for the peace, order and good government of the Falkland Islands, subject to the approval of Her Majesty the Queen, acting through her Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Eight Councillors are elected every four years to sit on the Council, under the terms of the current Falkland Islands Constitution, which has evolved over several decades. The Legislative Council website contains information on the organisation of the Council and pages on each Councillor, the constituencies and the portfolios. Visitors to the site will also find information on the development of a new constitution and the proceedings of the Council, including public papers and transcripts of meetings. The international role of the Councillors includes attendance at meetings of the EU Overseas Countries and Territories, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the United Nations Committee of Twenty-Four. Though an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom, the Falkland Islands enjoy a large measure of internal self-government. Negotiations are currently underway with Her Majesty's Government for revisions to the Constitution that will further consolidate this position. The new Legislative Council website is part of the larger Falkland Islands Government website ( www.falklands.gov.fk)which introduces the Islands as a dynamic UK Overseas Territory and includes up to date news and contemporary images of the modern Falklands. Councillor Mike Summers OBE, Falkland Islands Government spokesman, said: "The new Legislative Council website is part of our aim to make the workings of Government more open. The site demonstrates how our system of self-government supports good governance, democracy and self-determination in the Islands. The new constitution, due to be adopted in 2009, will reinforce our commitment to human rights, the advancement of internal self-government and the promotion of democracy."