Commissioner for the British Antarctic Territory

Commissioner for the British Antarctic Territory

Coat of Arms of the British Antarctic Territory

Standard of the Commissioner
Incumbent
Peter Hayes

since 17 October 2012
Appointer Elizabeth II
as Queen of the United Kingdom
Term length At Her Majesty's pleasure
Inaugural holder

Edwin Porter Arrowsmith
First High Commissioner

M. Baker Bates
First Commissioner
Deputy Ms Jane Rumble
Deputy Commissioner

The Commissioner for the British Antarctic Territory (BAT), is the head of government in the Antarctic Territory of the United Kingdom. As one of the British Overseas Territories, the commissioner is appointed by the British Monarchy, currently Queen Elizabeth II who appoints the commissioner office on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The British Antarctic Territory was established as a separate British overseas territory in 1962. Originally from 1962 to 1990, a High Commissioner was appointed to oversee the territory who was also Governor of the Falkland Islands. In 1990, administration of the BAT was transferred to a Commissioner based in London.

Since 1998, the Commissioner of the BAT has also served as Commissioner of the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Prior to 1962, the area was a part of the Falkland Islands Dependencies and as such was administered by the Governor of the Falkland Islands

This is a list of High Commissioners and Commissioners of the British Antarctic Territory (BAT), the area of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom.

High Commissioners

(also Governors of the Falkland Islands)

Commissioners

(non-resident; based in London)

See also

References

World Statesmen: British Antarctic Territory. Accessed 4 April 2007.

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