States Minutes 12th May 2005

THE STATES assembled on Thursday, 12th May 2005 at 9.30 a.m. under

the Presidency of the Greffier of the States,

Mr.  Michael Nelson de  la Haye.

All members were present with the exception of –

S e nator Leonard Norman – out of the Island

A l an Breckon, Deputy of St. Saviour – excused

C e lia Joyce Scott Warr en, Deputy of St. Saviour– ill.

Prayers read by the Deputy Greffier of the States.

Fiscal Strategy – P.44/2005 Amendment and Comments

THE STATES, resumed consideration of an amendment of Senator Stuart Syvret to the proposition of the Finance and Economics Committee concerning a Fiscal Strategy and, after discussion, rejected paragraphs (a), (b) and (d) of the amendment that, in paragraph (a)(i), after the final word, there be added the following words –

" e xcept that GST will not apply to –

( a ) basic foodstuffs,

( b ) children's clothing,

( c ) books and newspapers;" Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 14

Senator J.A. Le  Maistre Senator S. Syvret

Senator W. Kinnard

Senator P.V.F. Le Claire Senator E.P. Vibert Connétable of St. Mary Deputy G.C.L. Baudains (C) Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier (S) Deputy J-A. Bridge (H)

Deputy J.A. Martin (H)

Deputy G.P. Southern (H) Deputy J.A. Bernstein (B) Deputy of Grouville

Deputy J.A. Hilton (H)

CONTRE: 32

Senator F.H. Walker Senator T.A. Le  Sueur Senator P.F. Routier Senator M.E.   Vibert Senator P.F.C. Ozouf Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Saviour Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. John Deputy of Trinity

Deputy R.C. Duhamel (S) Deputy J.J. Huet (H) Deputy of St.  Martin

ABSTAIN: 1 Deputy of St.  John

Deputy T.J. Le  Main (H) Deputy M.F. Dubras (L) Deputy J.L. Dorey (H) Deputy P.N. Troy (B) Deputy F.G. Voisin (L) Deputy J.B. Fox (H) Deputy S.G. Ferguson (B) Deputy of St.  Mary Deputy of St.  Ouen Deputy P.J.D. Ryan (H) Deputy M.A. Taylor (C) Deputy of St.  Peter

Deputy G.W.J. de  Faye (H)

THE STATES rejected paragraph (c) of the amendment that in paragraph (a)(i), after the final word, there b added the following words –

" e xcept that GST will not apply to medical services and products."

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 17

Senator J.A. Le  Maistre Senator S. Syvret

Senator W. Kinnard

Senator P.V.F. Le  Claire Senator E.P.   Vibert Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Clement Deputy G.C.L. Baudains (C) Deputy P.N. Troy (B)

Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier (S) Deputy J-A. Bridge (H)

Deputy J.A. Martin (H)

Deputy G.P. Southern (H) Deputy J.A. Bernstein (B) Deputy of Grouville

Deputy of St.  Peter

Deputy J.A. Hilton (H)

CONTRE: 29

Senator F.H. Walker Senator T.A. Le  Sueur Senator P.F. Routier Senator M.E.   Vibert Senator P.F.C. Ozouf Connétable of St. Martin Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Saviour Connétable of St. Peter Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Lawrence Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. John Deputy of Trinity

Deputy R.C. Duhamel (S) Deputy J.J. Huet (H) Deputy of St.  Martin Deputy T.J. Le  Main (H) Deputy M.F. Dubras (L) Deputy J.L. Dorey (H) Deputy F.G. Voisin (L) Deputy J.B. Fox (H) Deputy S.C. Ferguson (B) Deputy of St.  Mary

Deputy of St.  Ouen

Deputy P.J.D. Ryan (H) Deputy M.A. Taylor (C) Deputy G.W.J. de  Faye (H)

ABSTAIN: 1 Deputy of St.  John

THE STATES commenced consideration of an amendment of Senator Stuart Syvret that at the end of

paragraph  (b), after the final word, there be added the following words –

" e xcept that there shall be no de minimis limit in respect of holdings in private companies, public companies, unit trusts, investment trusts or investment funds of any description wherever located;"

THE STATES, following discussion, granted leave to Senator Stuart Syvret to withdraw the amendment.

THE STATES subsequently granted leave to the President of the Finance and Economics Committee to withdraw paragraph (b) of the principal proposition.

THE STATES adopted an amendment of Deputy Geoffrey Peter Southern of St.  Helier that in paragraph  (d), afte the words "Environment and Public Services Committee", there be inserted the words "and the Parishes"; after the words "environmental taxes" there be inserted the words "and other taxes,"; and, after paragraph  (d)(ii), there be inserted the following new paragraph –

" ( iii) a land value tax."

THE  STATES,  then  resumed  consideration  of  the  proposition  of  the  Finance  and  Economics  Committee concerning a Fiscal Strategy as amended.

Adjournment

THE STATES then adjourned, having adopted a proposition of the Deputy of St.  John that they adjourn at 5.30  p.m.

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 24 CONTRE: 6 ABSTAIN: 1 Senator J.A. Le  Maistre Senator P.F. Routier Senator M.E.   Vibert

Senator S. Syvret Deputy M.F. Dubras (L)

Senator T.A. Le  Sueur Deputy J.A. Martin (H)

Senator P.V.F. Le  Claire Deputy S.C. Ferguson (B)

Senator E.P.   Vibert Deputy of St.  Ouen

Connétable of St. Martin Deputy G.W.J. de  Faye (H)

Connétable of St. Ouen

Connétable of St. Mary

Connétable of St. Clement

Connétable of Grouville

Connétable of St. John

Deputy of Trinity

Deputy R.C. Duhamel (S)

Deputy of St.  Martin

Deputy of St.  John

Deputy T.J. Le  Main (H)

Deputy G.C.L. Baudains (C)

Deputy P.N. Troy (B)

Deputy R.G. Le  Hérissier (S)

Deputy J.B. Fox (H)

Deputy G.P. Southern (H)

Deputy J.A. Bernstein (B)

Deputy of St.  Mary

Deputy J.A. Hilton (H)

THE STATES agreed to continue with the consideration of the proposition of the Finance and Economics Committee concerning a Fiscal Strategy, as amended, (P.44/2005 lodged "au Greffe" on 8th March 2005), the next day, Friday 13th May 2005.

THE STATES rose at 5.30 p.m.

A.H. HARRIS Deputy Greffier of the States.