States Minutes 3rd June 1986

THE STATES assembled on Tuesday, 3rd June, 1986 at 10.15 a.m. under the Presidency of the Deputy Bailiff , Vernon Amy Tomes, Esquire. ____________

All members were present with the exception of –

Senator Ralph Vibert – out of the Island.

Senator Reginald Robert Jeune – out of the Island. Senator Terence John Le Main – absent.

Senator Peter Geoffrey Kevitt Manton – out of the Island.

Jack Roche, Deputy of St. Saviour – ill.

Sir Martin Le Quesne, Deputy of St. Saviour – out of the Island.

Donald George Filleul, Deputy of St. Helier – out of the Island.

Henri Leon Dubras, Deputy of St. Martin – out of the Island.

____________

Prayers ____________

Subordinate legislation tabled.

The following enactments were laid before the States, namely –

1. La Rocque Regatta (Jersey) Order, 1986. R & O - 7506.
2. Telecommunications  (Telegrams)  (Amendment No. 3) (Jersey) Order, 1986. R & O - 7507.

181   Price : 75p

3. Telecommunications (Telex) (Amendment No. 6) (Jersey) Order, 1986. R & O - 7508.
4. Health Insurance (Pharmaceutical Benefit) (Prescribed List) (Amendment No. 21) (Jersey) Order, 1986. R & O - 7509.

Committee of Inquiry into supply and distribution of fuel oil in Jersey: appointment of members.

THE STATES, on the proposition of Senator Richard Joseph Shenton, President of the Committee of Inquiry into the supply and distribution of fuel oil in Jersey, appointed the following as members –

Senator Pierre François Horsfall

Deputy Corrie Stein of Grouville

Deputy Henri Leon Dubras of St. Martin .

Preparation of Conveyances by Non-Lawyers: report. P.77/86.

The Legislation Committee by Act dated 19th May, 1986, presented to the States a report on the preparation of conveyances by non- lawyers.

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

Matters lodged.

The following subjects were lodged "au Greffe" –

1. Les Cinq Chênes, Five Oaks, St. Saviour (Phase I): approval of drawings. P.78/86.

Presented by the Housing Committee. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 17th June, 1986.

2. Public Works Committee: capital projects for 1987. P.79/86.

Presented by the Public Works Committee. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 17th June, 1986.

3. Resources Recovery Board: works progress and capital estimates for 1987. P.80/86.

Presented by the Resources Recovery Board. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 17th June, 1986.

4. Energy Management Projects: funding. P.81/86. Presented by the Finance and Economics Committee. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 24th June, 1986.
5. New Morley Nurseries, St. Saviour : purchase. P.82/86.

Presented by Deputy Francis Hedley Morel of St. Saviour and referred to the Agriculture and Fisheries Committee.

6. Articulated Vehicles: limits on length. P.83/86. Presented by Senator Richard Joseph Shenton. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 24th June, 1986.

The following subjects were lodged "au Greffe" on 27th May, 1986 –

1. Draft Genocide (Amendment) (Jersey) Law, 198 . P.71/86.

Presented by the Legislation Committee. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 17th June, 1986.

2. Draft Children (Amendment No. 4) (Jersey) Law, 198 . P.72/86.

Presented by the Legislation Committee. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 17th June, 1986.

3. New North Quay: development. P.73/86.

Presented by the Harbours and Airport Committee. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 10th June, 1986.

4. Police Force Radiocommunication System: replacement. P.74/86.

Presented by the Defence Committee. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 17th June, 1986.

5. Housing Committee: development proposals for 1987. P.75/86.

Presented by the Housing Committee. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 17th June, 1986.

6. Horticultural and Agricultural Training Unit: replacement. P.76/86.

Presented by the Education Committee. The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 10th June, 1986.

Radioactivity Tests. Questions and answers.

Senator Jane Patricia Sandeman asked Senator John William Ellis, President of the Defence Committee, the following questions –

"Guernsey is the central monitoring area for levels of radioactivity in the Channel Islands and after the Chernobyl disaster samples of water, milk and grass were sent to the National Radiological Protection Board for assessment.

1. Will the President say who authorised samples of milk and grass from Jersey to be sent for detailed analysis and assessment and what were the results?
2. Will the President say why samples of water were not sent to N.R.P.B. for similar analysis and assessment? Who took the decision not to include samples of water for examination?

3. Who was responsible for testing the water in Jersey? What type of tests were carried out? Were the tests carried out on tap water, untreated reservoir water or rain water and what levels of radioactivity were found in samples from 3rd May, 1986 until the normal level was reached?"

The President of the Defence Committee replied as follows –

It will be appreciated that at no time during the weekend of Friday, 2nd May through to Monday, 5th May did the level of radiation in the Island reach a point remotely approaching the National Radiological Protection Board's set levels for consideration of restrictions being imposed on the consumption of milk, water or fresh vegetables etc.

1. During the weekend in question contact was maintained with Guernsey and on Saturday, 3rd May they advised that the N.R.P.B. had asked Guernsey to deliver samples of milk, rain water and herbage. Bearing in mind the short distance in relative terms between the Islands, the Civil Emergency Officer initiated a plan to send samples of milk and herbage from Jersey commencing on the 6th May. The objectof this exercise as reported in the media was in order to maintain records for comparative purposes.

The lower ERL (Emergency Reference Level) for grass as advised by N.R.P.B. in their document N.R.P.B 10 dated March 1986, is 13,000 Bq (Becquerels) per square metre.

Figures for Jersey for radioactive deposition are as follows –

Iodine 131  Caesium 137

6th May  Bq m-2 7th May  Bq m-2 8th May  Bq m-2 10th May  Bq m-2 12th May  Bq m-2 14th May  Bq m-2 15th May  Bq m-2 16th May  Bq m-2 17th May  Bq m-2 20th May  Bq m-2 24th May  Bq m-2 26th May  Bq m-2

21  2 41  3 40  2.4 24  1.1 24  2.8 18  2.1

9.4  0.9

17  4 >1  2 >1  3 >1  2 >1  2

The ERL for milk is 2,000 Bq per litre, the readings for Jersey milk samples activity concentration are as follows –

Iodine 131  Caesium 137

6th May  Bq Ltr. 7th May  Bq Ltr. 8th May  Bq Ltr. 10th May  Bq Ltr. 12th May  Bq Ltr. 14th May  Bq Ltr. 15th May  Bq Ltr. 16th May  Bq Ltr. 17th May  Bq Ltr. 19th May  Bq Ltr. 20th May  Bq Ltr. 23rd May  Bq Ltr. 26th May  Bq Ltr.

21  2 41  3 40  3.2 24  1.5 24  2.8 18  2.1

9.4  1.1 >3  1.0

5.3  1.1 >3  1.3 >3  N/A >3  N/A

3.7  N/A

2. The testing of water for a simple Beta radiation count is a test which can be carried out locally and was a task  which  was  already  being  undertaken  by the Official States Analyst. There was, therefore, nothing to be gained by the despatch of samples to N.R.P.B. (it may be noted that Guernsey forwarded rain water only for a N.R.P.B. check). This decision was taken as

a result of consultation between the Medical Officer of  Health,  the  Official  Analyst  and  the  Civil Emergency Officer.

3. The  ERL  for  water  is  11,000 Bq per  litre.  Local readings are as follows –

Site

Val de la Mare Pump

Val de La Mare Surface Handois Station Inlet Handois No. 2 Clear Tank Grand Vaux Pump

Mains Water Pier Road Mains Water Pier Road Rain Water Duhamel Place Rain Water Duhamel Place Rain Water Duhamel Place Rain Water Duhamel Place Rain Water Duhamel Place

Date  Beta

activity per litre

6th May  1.02 6th May  .47 6th May  .60 6th May  .60 6th May  .52 2nd May  .34 7th May  .45 5th May  .54 6th May  .74 7th May  .90 10th May  1.15 11th May  1.01

These figures reflect the extremely low level of the relative increased radioactivity over Jersey as a result of  the  Chernobyl  Incident  and  in  the  professional opinion of the States' Officers concerned none of the levels  measured  would  be  injurious  to  long-term health.".

Personal Statement – Senator Shenton: declaration of interest:

Senator Richard Joseph Shenton made a personal statement in the following terms –

"On  Tuesday,  20th  May  the  States  elected  me,  in  my absence from the Island, to head a Committee of Inquiry into  the  Supply,  Distribution  and   Price  of  Fuel  Oil  in Jersey.

Whilst I appreciate the decision of the House and regard it as an honour, I feel nevertheless that Members may take the view that comment should be made on a statement issued to the media by Senator Mrs. Jane Sandeman and publicised on Wednesday, 28th May. In the statement the Senator outlined her refusal to serve on the Committee of Inquiry and gave as her reason the fact that she felt my involvement with Petroleum Distributors Jersey, the local Company handling Esso products, had not been made known to the House.

This statement is incorrect because on a number of occasions I have declared my interest in all matters, including the fact that I am responsible for Union negotiations for the staff of PDJ Jersey and GPD Guernsey. As a Member who has on two occasions proposed that the House should have a register of members' business interests and who has always placed my own business involvement on the line I feel I have a right to be aggrieved by the Senator's statement.".

Matrimonial Causes (Amendment No. 7) (Jersey) Law, 1986 (Appointed Day) Act, 1986.

THE STATES, in pursuance of paragraph (2) of Article 3 of the Matrimonial Causes (Amendment No. 7) (Jersey) Law, 1986, made an Act entitled the Matrimonial Causes (Amendment No. 7) (Jersey) Law, 1986 (Appointed Day) Act, 1986.

Minimum income for elected Members of the States: Act. P.84/86.

THE STATES commenced consideration of an Act with regard to the provision of a minimum income for elected Members of the States. After discussion, and on the proposition of Senator Jane Patricia Sandeman, the Act was lodged "au Greffe". The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 17th June, 1986.

Expenses for elected Members of the States: Act. P.85/86.

THE STATES commenced consideration of an Act with regard to the provision of expenses for elected Members of the States. After discussion, and on the proposition of Senator Jane Patricia Sandeman, the Act was lodged "au Greffe". The States decided to take this subject into consideration on 17th June, 1986.

Airport Accommodation: lease to British Airways.

THE STATES, adopting a Proposition of the Harbours and Airport Committee –

1. approved the lease to British Airways plc of4,254 square feet of accommodation at the Airport shown coloured red on Drawings Nos. MS71/1 and MS71/2 at an annual rent of £22,500.00 for a period of 5 years with effect from 1st April, 1986, with a break clause option available to the lessor and lessee at the third year, but if not taken up by either party, with a rent review clause at the third year;
2. authorised the Greffier of the States to sign the necessary agreement with the Company; and
3. authorised the Treasurer of the States to receive the payments as they became due.

Health Services Disciplinary Tribunal: appointment of Chairman.

THE STATES, adopting a Proposition of the Social Security Committee and in pursuance of Articles 1 and 36 of the Health Insurance (Jersey) Law, 1967, as amended, appointed Advocate David Eldon Le Cornu as Chairman of the Health Services Disciplinary Tribunal until 31st December, 1986.

9 Clos de Patier, St. Saviour : lease.

THE STATES, adopting a Proposition of the Finance and Economics Committee, approved the leasing from J. Baxter Marett Investments (Jersey) Limited of No. 9, Clos de Patier, St. Saviour , for a period of one year commencing 1st June, 1986, at a weekly rent of £100 for the term of the lease, for occupation by an ex-patriate accountant appointed to the Treasury.

Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) (Jersey) Law, 1975 (Appointed Day) Act, 1986. P.40/86 and P.67/86.

THE STATES, in pursuance of the Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) (Jersey) Law, 1975, made an Act entitled the Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) (Jersey) Law, 1975 (Appointed Day) Act, 1986.

Sea-Fisheries (Establishment and Regulation of Fisheries) (Jersey) Regulations, 1986. P.41/86 and P.69/86.

THE STATES, in pursuance of Article 2 of the Sea-Fisheries (Jersey) Law, 1962, as amended, made Regulations entitled the Sea- Fisheries (Establishment and Regulation of Fisheries) (Jersey) Regulations, 1986.

Social Security (Amendment No. 6) (Jersey) Law, 1986. P.58/86.

THE STATES, subject to the sanction of Her Most Excellent Majesty in Council, adopted a Law entitled the Social Security (Amendment No. 6) (Jersey) Law, 1986.

Broadcasting of States' Meetings: experiment. P.66/86.

THE STATES, adopting a Proposition of the Broadcasting Committee –

1. agreed that, as an experiment, BBC Radio Jersey and Channel Television should be allowed to broadcast in sound only live transmissions of all States' debates during the Autumn Session of1986;
2. agreed that, during the period of the experiment, BBC Radio Jersey and Channel Television should be allowed to use extracts from the live broadcasting of States' Sittings in the context of both news and current affairs programmes.

Members present voted as follows –

"Pour" (30)

Senators

Shenton, Binnington, Sandeman, Horsfall, Ellis, Baal, Rothwell.

Connétable s

Grouville , St. John , St. Brelade , St. Lawrence , St. Ouen , St. Saviour .

Deputies

Morel (S), Quenault(B), Perkins(C), Le Brocq(H), Farley(H), Le Fondré(L), Rumboll(H), Grouville , St. Mary , Thorne (B), Wavell(H), Billot(S), Norman(C), St. John , St. Peter , Carter(H), Mahoney(H).

"Contre" (14)

Senator

Le Marquand.

Connétable s

Trinity , St. Martin , St. Peter , St. Helier , St. Clement , St. Mary .

Deputies

Mourant(H), St. Ouen , Le Gallais(S), Trinity , Vandervliet(L), Beadle(B), Blampied(H).

THE STATES rose at 1.25 p.m.

E.J.M. POTTER, Greffier of the States.