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Lodged au Greffe on 11th June 2002 by Senator P.F. Horsfall
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STATES OF JERSEY
STATES GREFFE
150 2 0 0 2 P . 2 5 Am d .
Price code: A
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In paragraph (a) of the proposition after the words au Greffe' insert the words -
" ex c e p t that a Minister shall not be permitted to present to the States a private member's proposition challenging a
decision made by the Council of Ministers without first resigning from the Council".
SENATOR P.F. HORSFALL
Report
The Policy and Resources Committee has already said in its comments on Machinery of Government: Freedom of Representation' (P.25/2002) that, in its view, ministerial government will not work without a measure of collective responsibility.
To have a Council of Ministers that can be attacked on the floor of the House by a member of the Council, without that person having first resigned from the Council, will destroy any concept of corporate government and deny the electorate the prospect of clear and decisive government.
At present it is accepted practice that a committee member cannot oppose a committee with a private member's proposition without first resigning from the Committee. Senator Syvret's proposal, if adopted as it stands, would go against this, and thus go beyond the situation that obtains now under the committee system.
Whilst in general I do not have any particular argument with the thrust of part (a) of the proposition P.25/2002, it is important that the States make it clear that ministers are excluded according to the words of the amendment.
There are no financial or manpower implications arising from this amendment.