States Minutes 1st December 1981

THE STATES assembled on Tuesday, 1st  December,  1981  at  10.15 a.m. under  the  Presidency  of  the   Bailiff , Sir Frank Ereaut.

_____

All members were present. _____

Prayers. _____

The late Mr. P.J. Romeril, former Senator – Tribute.

The Bailiff paid tribute to the late Mr. Philip Josué Romeril, former Senator, and the States observed one minute's silence as a mark of respect.

H.M. The Queen – Address.

The   Bailiff  informed  the  Assembly  that  a  reply  had  been received to the Address which the States had sent to Her Majesty The  Queen  on  the  occasion  of  the  marriage  of  their  Royal Highnesses  The  Prince  and  Princess  of  Wales.  Her  Majesty conveyed warm thanks for the loyal and heartfelt congratulations and said how deeply Her Majesty valued the close and ancient ties between the Crown and the Island.

Subordinate legislation tabled.

The following enactment was laid before the States, namely –

279  [ Price : 50p.]

Road Traffic (Public Parking Places) (Amendment No. 7) (Jersey) Order, 1981. R & O – 7000.

Report of the Official Analyst for 1980. R.C.16.

The Finance and Economics Committee, by Act dated 23rd November, 1981, presented to the States the Report of the Official Analyst for the year 1980.

THE STATES ordered that the said Report be printed and distributed.

Report on Dutch Elm Disease R.C.17.

The Public Works Committee, by Act dated 12th November, 1981, presented to the States a Report on Dutch Elm Disease.

THE STATES ordered that the said Report be printed and distributed.

Jersey New Waterworks Company Limited. Questions and Answers.

Senator Mrs. Jane Patricia Sandeman asked Deputy Donald George Filleul, President of the Public Works Committee, the following questions –

1. "Will the President say if he, as President of the Public Works Committee, has taken part in discussions regarding the possible acquisition by the States of Jersey of part or all of the current or anticipated share issues of the Jersey New Waterworks Company?
2. Will the President say if matters concerning the Island's water situation, which he told the Jersey Evening Post might come before the States, concern financial aspects of the flooding of Queen's Valley?"

The President of the Public Works Committee replied as follows –

1. "The Senator will recall that, on 16th June, 1981, Senator R.J. Shenton lodged a proposition which asked the States to direct the Finance and Economics Committee to investigate the desirability of the Public obtaining a controlling interest in the Jersey New Waterworks Company Limited. On 23rd June, 1981, the Finance and Economics Committee lodged an amendment which sought the approval of the House to the investigation being carried out by the Public Works Committee.

Over the last few months, the Committee has had substantial discussions with the Jersey New Waterworks Company Limited on the question of water and the possibility of the public acquiring a controlling interest in the Company has indeed been mentioned.

However, these discussions have not been to any great depth and, if the States approve Senator Shenton's proposition it will be necessary for the Committee to open formal discussions with the Company on this aspect of the matter.

2. The comments made by me to the Evening Post after the last debate on Queen's Valley did not relate in any way to the economics and cost of construction of the reservoir.

I have informed the Jersey New Waterworks Company Limited that my Committee will require every step to be taken towards the conservation of water in the future and has in response received the following letter dated 23rd November, 1981 from the Chairman of the Board of Directors:–

Dear Mr. President,

At a Board Meeting held on 20th November, I was asked to write to you to confirm that this Company is concerned to achieve the conservation of water wherever possible. I believe that this Company's past record of water conservation projects is commendable. Nevertheless I believe that much is to be gained from discussions between your Committee and the Board of this Company.

If you share the same view discussions could take place initially between executive officers of your Committee and this Company at a time convenient to the executive officers of your Committee.

Yours sincerely,

P. Blampied, Chairman.'

It is these aspects of water, together with the balance of the recommendations of the Guthrie report which I advised the Evening Post would probably need to come before the States in the future."

Disciplinary Action – Telecommunications Board Employee. Statement.

The President of the Telecommunications Board made a statement in the following terms –

"On Friday, November 20th there appeared in the columns of the Jersey Evening Post an interview between Mr. Mike Vibert of the Jersey Evening Post and Mr. W. McKain,  at  that  date  an  employee  of  the  States of Jersey Telecommunications Board. Mr. McKain was also the Branch Secretary of the Electrical, Electronics and Plumbing Trade Union.

In view of Mr. McKain's allegation that Mr. May, the Director of Telecommunications, refused to speak to him, I feel it is only right that the House should fully understand the position which obtained at Telecommunications after 15th July, 1980 when Mr. McKain who was then the Senior Shop Steward was disciplined for an attempted fraud on the Telecommunications Board. One result of the disciplinary action was that he was no longer acceptable as a shop steward and therefore he no longer attended the meetings held between Management and Union Shop Stewards and so obviously Mr. May was now dealing with the new Senior Shop Steward and there was then no reason to talk with Mr. McKain.

I will now read to the House a copy of a letter sent to Mr. McKain on 15th July, 1980.

Dear Mr. McKain,

This letter is to confirm the disciplinary action which we took and which was communicated to you verbally at our meeting on 9th July, 1980. The decision was again reiterated at a meeting held on 15th July, 1980, which was attended at your request by the Secretary of the Southampton Area of the E.E.P.T.U., Mr. J.M. Scanlon. Also at the meeting on 15th July, 1980, were your fellow Shop Stewards, Mrs. M. Wolstenhume and Mr. M. Le Riche.

The issue under discussion was that you had completed a time sheet for 27th May, 1980, consisting of ten separate entries, all of which were fictitious and that for the day in question, you were on annual leave. At our interview on 9th July 1980, you had admitted that all the entries were fictitious and that you were on holiday on that day.

I had informed you that in our view, this was a serious offence and warranted immediate dismissal. However, in view of your long service with the Board, we would endeavour to be lenient and whilst in no way reducing the gravity of the offence, the disciplinary action in this case would be:–

1. You would be re-graded as a Technician 2A.
2. You would leave your present post and be transferred into the Auto Exchange in Minden Place.
3. We would require you to relinquish your Shop Stewardship as we could no longer continue to negotiate with you as a representative of the staff.

In the light of you not having been able to accept the disciplinary action under these three points, we would have had no other alternative but to have dismissed you.

I understand from Mr. Scanlon that he has spoken with you today and that you have accepted this disciplinary action in (1), (2) and (3) above. I would ask you, therefore, to acknowledge receipt of this letter and your acceptance by signing the certificate on the copy attached.

Yours sincerely,

Signed: L. May, Director.'

I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 15th July, 1980, and can confirm I accept the action enumerated in (1), (2) and (3) above.

Signed: W. McKain Date 17.7.80."

Budget 1982.

THE STATES commenced the consideration of the Budget for the financial year commencing 1st January, 1982, which in accordance with Article 16 of the Public Finance (Administration) (Jersey) Law, 1967, had been presented to the Assembly on 3rd November, 1981, by the Finance and Economics Committee and comprised –

1. the estimate of the revenue expenditure and of the income of the Committees of the States;
2. the estimate of the transactions of the Capital Fund; and
3. the Report of the Finance and Economics Committee thereon.

THE STATES, having considered the estimates of the revenue expenditure and of the income of the various Committees, decided to allow the said estimates as detailed in the undermentioned pages of the Budget as follows –

Finance and Economics Committee – Pages 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Defence Committee – Pages 10, 11, 12 and 13.

Public Works Committee – Pages 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, having rejected an amendment of Deputy Sir Martin Le Quesne of St. Saviour that Vote No. 2043 – Supplies and Services – Dutch Elm Disease Campaign – be reduced by £100 to £182,300.

Education Committee – Pages 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31.

Public Health Committee – Pages 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39.

Resources Recovery Board – Pages 40 and 41.

Agriculture and Fisheries Committee – Pages 42, 43, 44 and 45.

Tourism Committee – Pages 44 and 45.

Etat Civil Committee – Pages 46 and 47.

Social Security Committee – Pages 46 and 47. Cottage Homes Committee – Pages 46 and 47. Establishment Committee – Pages 48 and 49. Island Development Committee – Pages 48 and 49. Elizabeth House Committee – Pages 50 and 51. Housing Committee – Pages 50 and 51.

Prison Board – Pages 52 and 53.

Constitution and Common Market Committee – Pages 52 and 53.

Fort Regent Development Committee – Pages 54 and 55. Gambling Control Committee – Pages 56 and 57.

Legislation Committee – Pages 56 and 57. Overseas Aid Committee – Pages 56 and 57. Broadcasting Committee – Pages 56 and 57. Industrial Relations Committee – Pages 56 and 57.

Harbours and Airport Committee – La Collette Reclamation Scheme – Pages 56 and 57.

Policy Advisory Committee – Pages 56 and 57.

Land Reclamation Committee – Pages 56 and 57. TRADING COMMITTEES

Harbours and Airport Committee – Pages 58 and 59. Telecommunications Board – Pages 58 and 59. Committee for Postal Administration – Pages 58 and 59.

The States, referring to the summary of income and revenue expenditure appearing on page 67 agreed the total revenue expenditure in the sum of £103,829,700, the total income from Committees in the sum of £50,434,800 and the amounts to be transferred to the General Reserve and Accumulated Reserve in the sums of £12,000,000 and £4,000,000 respectively, having rejected an amendment of Deputy Clarence George Farley of St. Helier that the amount to be transferred to the General Reserve be increased by £7,000,000 to £19,000,000.

THE STATES noted that on the basis of levels of taxation currently in force the surplus on the Revenue account to be transferred to the Capital Fund amounted to £25,829,120.

Having allowed for a balance of £708,047 to be brought forward at 1st January, 1982, and taking into account the capital repayments of £3,467,000, the States noted that there would be available in the Capital Fund the sum of £30,004,167. The States then proceeded to consider the estimates of Capital Expenditure recommended by the Finance and Economics Committee on pages 60, 61 and 62 of the Budget and –

NON-TRADING COMMITTEES.

The estimate of the capital expenditure of the Defence Committee appearing on page 60 of the Budget was allowed.

The estimate of the capital expenditure of the Public Works Committee appearing on page 60 of the Budget was allowed.

The estimate of the capital expenditure of the Education Committee appearing on page 60 of the Budget was allowed.

The estimate of the capital expenditure of the Public Health Committee appearing on page 60 of the Budget was allowed.

The estimate of the capital expenditure of the Resources Recovery Board appearing on page 61 of the Budget was allowed.

The estimate of the capital expenditure of the Agriculture and Fisheries Committee appearing on page 61 of the Budget was allowed.

The estimate of the capital expenditure of the Island Development Committee appearing on page 61 of the Budget was allowed.

The estimate of the capital expenditure of the Housing Committee appearing on page 61 of the Budget was allowed.

The estimate of the capital expenditure of the Fort Regent Development Committee appearing on page 61 of the Budget was allowed.

TRADING COMMITTEES.

The estimate of the capital expenditure of the Harbours and Airport  Committee  appearing  on  page 62  of  the  Budget  was allowed.

The  estimate  of  the  capital  expenditure  of  the Telecommunications Board appearing on page 62 of the Budget was allowed.

THE STATES having terminated the discussion on the capital estimates noted that the amount to be voted from the Capital Fund was £15,878,900.

THE  STATES  considered  the  estimates  of  income  to  be produced from taxation appearing on page 65 of the Budget and agreed the estimate as follows –

£ Impôt on Spirits  3,000,000 Impôt on Wines  1,200,000 Impôt on Tobacco  2,000,000 Impôt on Beer  900,000 Impôt on Motor Fuel  1,450,000

Impôt on Goods imported into the

Island (Tariff)   750,000 9,300,000

Income Tax and Corporation Tax  69,200,000 Motor Tax   900,000 79,400,000

THE STATES adopted in Second Reading a Bill to continue certain expiring fiscal laws; to prescribe the standard rate of income tax for the year nineteen hundred and eighty-two; and to amend the law relating to income tax.

The said Bill was lodged "au Greffe".

THE  STATES,  in  pursuance  of  Article 25  of  the  Public Finances (Administration) (Jersey) Law, 1967, have declared that the Bill to continue certain expiring fiscal laws; to prescribe the standard  rate  of  income  tax  for  the  year  nineteen  hundred  and eighty-two; and to amend the law relating to income tax (which has this day been lodged "au Greffe") shall immediately have effect as if it were a law passed by the States and sanctioned by Her Majesty in Council.

THE STATES having terminated the discussion on the Budget agreed  the  Summary  of  the  Estimated  Income  and  Revenue Expenditure  for  1982  appearing  on  page 67  of  the  Budget  as follows –

INCOME

£ Committees  50,434,800

Taxation  79,400,000 129,834,800

DEDUCT

£

Revenue Expenditure  103,829,700

General Reserve  12,000,000

Accumulated Reserve   4,000,000  119,829,700 Surplus of Income over

Revenue Expenditure and

transfers to Reserves  10,005,100

Estimated Balance in hand at

Total to be transferred to

Capital Fund  25,829,120

THE STATES further agreed to the estimated transactions of the Capital Fund for 1982 as follows –

£ Balance brought forward  708,047

Capital repayments  3,467,000

Estimated surplus on Revenue

Account (as above)  25,829,120 30,004,167

Capital expenditure  15,878,900

Estimated balance to be carried

forward at 31st December, 1982  14,125,267

THE STATES rose at 6 p.m.

R.S. GRAY, Deputy Greffier of the States.