States Minutes 18th July 2011

THE STATES assembled on Monday 18th July 2011, at 02.30 p.m. under

the Presidency of the Deputy Bailiff ,

William James Bailhache , Esquire. __________________

All members were present at roll call with the exception of –

Senator James Leslie Perchard – excused attendance Senator Francis Du Heaume Le Gresley – ill

__________________

Prayers __________________

H.R.H. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – letter of thanks

The Deputy Bailiff informed the Assembly that the Bailiff had received a letter from the private office of H.R.H. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge thanking Islanders for the silver bâchin which was given to them on the occasion of their recent wedding.

Subordinate enactments tabled

The following enactments were tabled, namely –

Road Traffic ( Grouville ) (Amendment No. 6) (Jersey) Order 2011.  R&O.87/2011. Minister for Transport and Technical Services.

Motor Traffic (Cabs – Fares and Charges) (Amendment No. 2) (Jersey)  R&O.88/2011. Order 2011.

Minister for Transport and Technical Services.

Documents presented or laid

Goods and Services Tax: exemption or zero-rating for health foods (P.81/2011) –  P.81/2011. comments.  Com.(3) Presented: 15th July 2011.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Goods and Services Tax: exemption or zero-rating for health foods (P.81/2011) –  P.81/2011. amendment (P.81/2011 Amd.) – comments.  Amd.Com. Presented: 15th July 2011.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Draft Income Tax (Amendment No. 39) (Jersey) Law 201- (P.113/2011): amendment  P.113/2011. (P.113/2011 Amd.) – comments.  Amd. Presented: 18th July 2011.  Com.(2) Council of Ministers.

573   Price code: B

Discrimination Law and delay on pension reform (P.118/2011): comments.  P.118/2011. Presented: 18th July 2011.  Com.(2) Minister for Home Affairs.

Discrimination Law and delay on pension reform (P.118/2011): comments.  P.118/2011. Presented: 18th July 2011.  Com.(3) Council of Ministers.

Discrimination Law and delay on pension reform (P.118/2011): comments.  P.118/2011. Presented: 18th July 2011.  Com.(4) Minister for Social Security

Community Relations Trust: re-appointment of Chairman.  R.85/2011. Presented: 15th July 2011.

Minister for Home Affairs.

Travel and Entertainment Expenses 2010: Ministers and Assistant Ministers.  R.86/2011. Presented: 18th July 2011.

Chief Minister.

Policing of Beaches and Parks.  S.R.10/2011. Presented: 18th July 2011.

Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel.

Notification of lodged propositions

Discrimination Law and delay on pension reform (P.118/2011) – amendment.  P.118/2011. Lodged: 15th July 2011.  Amd. Council of Ministers.

Draft Annual Business Plan 2012.  P.123/2011. Lodged: 18th July 2011.

Chief Minister.

Appointment of an unelected member of the Public Accounts Committee

In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 124(1), Mr. Stephen Haigh was nominated by Senator Ben Edward Shenton, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, as an unelected member of the Public Accounts Committee.

There having been no further nominations in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 124(2), the Bailiff declared that Mr. Stephen Haigh had been duly appointed as an unelected member of the Public Accounts Committee.

Written Questions

(see Official Report/Hansard)

The Minister for Home Affairs tabled an answer to a question asked by Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire of St. Helier regarding the long-term unemployed and work permits.

The Minister for Planning and Environment tabled an answer to a question asked by Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire of St. Helier regarding approvals within the Green Zone.

The Minister for Economic Development tabled an answer to a question asked by Deputy M.R. Higgins of St. Helier regarding Mandatory Occurrence Reports.

The Chief Minister tabled an answer to a question asked by the Deputy of St. Martin regarding a suspension list.

The Minister for Home Affairs tabled an answer to a question asked by Senator B.E. Shenton regarding journalistic practices.

The Chief Minister tabled an answer to a question asked by Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of St. Saviour regarding 5 year contracts.

H.M. Attorney General tabled an answer to a question asked by Senator J.L. Perchard regarding financial means-testing for prisoners.

The Minister for Transport and Technical Services tabled an answer to a question asked by the Connétable of St. Mary regarding parking on Victoria Avenue.

The Minister for Treasury and Resources tabled an answer to a question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding Private Finance Initiative schemes.

The Minister for Treasury and Resources tabled an answer to a question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding tax burdens.

The Chief Minister tabled an answer to a question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding the control of migration numbers.

The Chief Minister tabled an answer to a question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding pay budgets.

The Chief Minister tabled an answer to a question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding jury service.

The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer to a question asked by Senator S.C. Ferguson regarding hours worked by middle-grade doctors.

The Minister for Health and Social Services tabled an answer to a question asked by Senator S.C. Ferguson regarding the length of shifts for middle-grade doctors.

The Minister for Planning and Environment tabled an answer to a question asked by the Deputy of St. Mary regarding the processing of planning applications.

The Minister for Housing tabled an answer to a question asked by the Deputy of St. Mary regarding the definition of housing need.

The Minister for Transport and Technical Services tabled an answer to a question asked by the Deputy of St. Mary regarding the reduction of accidents.

The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture tabled an answer to a question asked by the Deputy of St. Mary regarding the evaluation of schools.

The Minister for Economic Development tabled an answer to a question asked by Deputy M.R. Higgins of St. Helier regarding contract with N.A.T.S. (National Air Traffic Services Ltd.).

The Minister for Economic Development tabled an answer to a question asked by Deputy M.R. Higgins of St. Helier regarding the Operations Department at Jersey Airport.

The Minister for Economic Development tabled an answer to a question asked by Deputy M.R. Higgins of St. Helier regarding Senior Air Traffic Officers.

Oral Questions

(see Official Report/Hansard)

Deputy K.C. Lewis of St. Saviour asked a question of the Minister for Planning and Environment regarding the determination of the proposed plans for the St. Saviour over-55s retirement village.

Senator B.E. Shenton asked a question of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding the total amount spent by W.E.B. and the States in developing a scheme for East of Albert.

Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier asked a question of the Chief Minister regarding the negotiations on terms and conditions for States employees.

Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire of St. Helier asked a question of the Minister for Home Affairs regarding work permit permissions.

Deputy T.A. Vallois of St. Saviour asked a question of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding proposed changes to the Resources Department.

The Deputy of St. John asked a question of the Minister for Economic Development regarding the new defaced Red Ensign for ships registered in Jersey.

The Deputy of St. Martin asked a question of the Chief Minister regarding the number of Human Resources Officers employed in the public sector.

Deputy T.M. Pitman of St. Helier asked a question of the Minister for Home Affairs regarding allegations surrounding the leak of confidential information relating to the historic abuse inquiry.

Senator S.C. Ferguson asked a question of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding the proposed plans for States of Jersey Property Holdings and the States of Jersey Development Company Limited.

Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of St. Saviour asked a question of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding the appointment of a Third Sector Co-ordinator.

Deputy M.R. Higgins of St. Helier asked a question of the Minister for Economic Development regarding the contract with N.A.T.S. Ltd. (the U.K. privatised air traffic control services provider formerly known as the National Air Traffic Services Ltd.).

Deputy A.E Jeune of St. Brelade asked a question of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding advertisements for nursing staff.

The Deputy of St. Mary asked a question of the Minister for Economic Development regarding the use of Jersey in any way for tax avoidance purposes by News International or News Corporation.

Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of St. Savour asked a question of the Minister for Economic Development regarding the classification of the Channel Islands Control Zone.

Deputy M.R. Higgins of St. Helier asked a question of the Minister for Economic Development regarding licences granted to online gaming companies.

The Deputy of St. Mary asked a question of the Chief Minister regarding the savings target of nearly £1 million a year on energy and water costs.

Deputy T.M. Pitman of St. Helier asked a question of H.M. Attorney General regarding attendance by Members at States meetings.

Deputy A.E. Jeune of St. Brelade asked a question of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the current legislation and training provision for food hygiene in the Island.

The Deputy of St. Martin asked a question of the Minister for Home Affairs regarding complaints against the States of Jersey Police.

Deputy T.A. Vallois of St. Saviour asked a question of the Minister for Economic Development regarding how businesses had been affected by the refusal of licences through the Regulation of Undertakings and Development (Jersey) Law 1973.

The Deputy of St. John asked a question of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services regarding high-friction surfaces on Victoria Avenue.

Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier asked a question of the Chief Minister regarding the Tribal benchmarking review of teachers' and lecturers' terms and conditions.

Oral Questions without notice (see Official Report/Hansard)

The Minister for Transport and Technical Services answered questions without notice. The Minister for Economic Development answered questions without notice.

Statements on a matter of official responsibility (see Official Report/Hansard)

The Chairman of the Jersey Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association made a statement to mark the centenary of the Association.

Adjournment

THE STATES adjourned, having agreed to reconvene on Tuesday 19th July 2011 to consider public business.

THE STATES rose at 5.29 p.m.

A.H. HARRIS Deputy Greffier of the States