Order Paper 3rd July 2007

STATES OF JERSEY ORDER PAPER

Tuesday 3rd July 2007

1. COMMUNICATIONS BYTHE PRESIDING OFFICER
2. TABLING OF SUBORDINATE ENACTMENTS

(Explanatory notes attached)

Building Bye-laws (Jersey) 2007. R&O.80/2007. Minister for Planning and Environment.

Road Racing (Sprint) (Jersey) Order 2007. R&O.81/2007. Minister for Transport and Technical Services.

Gorey Fête (Jersey) Order 2007. R&O.82/2007. Minister for Transport and Technical Services.

Motor Traffic (Cabs – Fares and Charges) (Jersey) Order 2007. R&O.83/2007. Minister for Transport and Technical Services.

3. DOCUMENTS PRESENTED OR LAID

States Financial Report and Accounts 2006. R.62/2007. Presented: 29th June 2007.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

States Financial Report and Accounts 2006: Remuneration of States Employees. R.63/2007. Presented: 29th June 2007.

Chief Minister.

2006 Travel and Entertainment Expenses: Ministers and Assistant Ministers. R.64/2007. Presented: 29th June 2007.

Chief Minister.

Electoral Registration: link to population register (P.68/2007): comment. P.68/2007. Presented: 29th June 2007. Com. Privileges and Procedures Committee.

Draft Amendment (No. 7) of the Standing Orders of the States of Jersey P.80/2007. Com. (P.80/2007): comments.

Presented: 29th June 2007.

Privileges and Procedures Committee.

4. NOTIFICATION OF LODGED PROPOSITIONS

Composition of the States: referendum. P.86/2007. Lodged: 22nd June 2007.

Senator J.L. Perchard.

Draft Road Traffic (No. 58) (Jersey) Regulations 200-. P.87/2007. Lodged: 25th June 2007.

Minister for Transport and Technical Services.

5. WITHDRAWAL OF LODGED PROPOSITIONS
6. APPOINTMENT OF MINISTERS, COMMITTEES AND PANELS
7. MATTERS OF PRIVILEGE
8. PETITIONS
9. QUESTIONS

1. – Written Questions (attached)

1. The Minister forEducation, Sport and Culture will table an answerto a questionasked by Senator B.E.Shenton regarding j' category employees.
2. The Minister for Planning andEnvironment will table ananswerto a questionasked by Senator B.E.Shenton regarding the evolution oftheWaterfront.
3. The Minister for Treasury and Resources will table an answer to a question asked by the Connétable of Grouville regarding the processes in placeto govern the saleof States' property.
4. The Minister for Housing will tableanswers to questions asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding the Housing Property Plan.
5. The Minister forSocial Security willtable answers to questions askedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. HelierregardingtheCodesof Practice attached totheEmployment Relations (Jersey)Law 2005.
6. The Chairman of the Privileges andProceduresCommittee will tableananswer to a question asked by Deputy R.G.LeHérissierofSt. Saviour regarding the Freedomof Information Law.
7. The MinisterforEconomicDevelopment will table an answer to a questionaskedby Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of St. Saviour regarding the establishment of a Financial Services Ombudsman.
8. The Minister for Planning and Environment will table an answer to a question asked by Deputy R.G.Le Hérissier ofSt.Saviour regarding his planning powers.
9. The Minister for Home Affairs will tableananswer to a question askedby Deputy R.G.Le Hérissier of St. Saviour regarding the enactment of the Public Entertainment Regulations (Jersey) 2004.
10. The Minister for Planning and Environment will table an answer to a question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding the lowering of the road at the Waterfront.
11. The Chief Minister will tableanswers to questions askedby Deputy G.P. Southern ofSt.Helier regarding migration andpopulationfigures.
12. The Minister forHousing will tableananswerto a question asked by Deputy S.Pitman of St. Helier regarding the SocialHousing Property Plan.
13. The Minister for Transport and Technical Services will table an answer to a question askedby Deputy S. Pitman of St. Helier regarding the revenue from Gas Place car park and the

refurbishment of Minden Place car park.

14. The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture will tableananswerto a questionasked by Deputy G.C.L.Baudainsof St. Clementregarding the student loan scheme.
15. The Minister forTreasury and Resources will tableanswersto questions asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding mortgagetaxrelief.
16. The Minister for Planning and Environment will table an answer to a question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding wind-tests performed on the Castle Quay development.
17. The Minister for Transport and TechnicalServices will tableananswerto a questionasked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding the developmentof a multi-storeycar park on the AnnCourt site.

2. – Oral Questions (90 minutes) (attached)

1. The Connétable ofSt. Helier will ask the following question of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services -

" W ould the Minister give details as to the frequency of the transportation of incinerator ash consignments between the incinerator and La Collette, whether any account is taken of weather conditions during the operations and what régime is in place to ensure the careful transport of ash between Bellozanne and La Collette, particularly the prevention of fugitive emissions' at each stage of the process?"

2. Deputy G.P. Southern ofSt. Helier will ask the following questionof the Minister forSocial Security -

" W hat actions, if any, does the Minister propose to take in response to the International Labour Organisation's recommendations following its upholding of the complaint that the Employment Relations (Jersey) Law 2007 and its associated codes were in violation of the principles of freedom of association?"

3. Deputy J.A.Martinof St. Helier will ask the followingquestionof the Chief Minister -

" G iven that, at the time of the Strategic Plan 2005-2010, it was estimated that one per cent of the working population equated to approx 500 jobs, would the Minister advise whether that figure has risen ?

4. Deputy J.A.Martinof St. Helier will ask the followingquestionof the Minister forHousing -

" W ill the Minister inform members of the precise number of applicants, in both States and private rental sectors, currently awaiting the allocation of a 3-bed States rental or Housing Trust property?"

5. The Connétable of St.Helier will ask the followingquestionofthe Minister for Economic Development -

" D oes the Minister have any powers in relation to the purchase of C.I. Traders by a private equity company, and what implications, if any, does the purchase have for the retail strategy?"

6. Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier will askthefollowingquestionof the Chief Minister -

" W hat actions, if any, does the Chief Minister propose to take to restore any damage to our international reputation caused by International Labour Organisation's upholding of the complaint that the Employment Relations (Jersey) Law 2007 and its associated codes were in violation of the principles of freedom of association?"

7. The Deputy ofSt.Martin will askthefollowingquestionof H.M. Attorney General -

" W ill H.M. Attorney General advise members of the reasons why the Loi (1864) réglant la Procedure Criminelle, Criminal Procedure ( Connétable s and Centeniers) (Jersey) Law 1996 and the Magistrate's Court (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Jersey) Law 1949, which all relate to the running of the Magistrate's Court, were not subjected to a Human Rights Audit?"

8. Senator B.E.Shenton will ask the followingquestionof the Minister for TransportandTechnical Services -

" W ould the Minister confirm whether his Department will have control over the provision of parking and public parking charges on the Waterfront and, if not, can he explain how this fits in with an integrated travel and transport strategy?"

9. The Deputy of St. Martin will ask the followingquestion of the Chairmanof the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel -

" I n a written answer tabled on 19th June 2007, the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel's Vice-Chairman stated that the former Panel had agreed to meet the Attorney General privately but its intention was not to discuss the Cooper Opinion. If that was the case, will the Chairman explain what advice it intended to seek from the Attorney General and advise whether the meeting has now taken place?"

10. The Connétable of Grouville will askthefollowingquestionof the Minister for Treasury and Resources -

" W ould the Minister advise members of the outcome of the valuation prepared by Donaldson's (a U.K. Surveyor) of the former Jersey College for Girls' site and also of any further negotiations with regard to the sale of the site?"

11. Deputy S.PitmanofSt.Helier will ask the followingquestionofthe Chief Minister -

" W ould the Chief Minister inform members why a UK company and not a local firm, was contracted to produce the Jersey brand' logo?"

12. Deputy S.PitmanofSt.Helier will ask the followingquestionofthe Minister for Housing -

" I n view of the fact that one of the priority issues within the Social Housing Property Plan is to increase home ownership amongst States tenants, what criteria was used to identify which States owned properties should be sold?"

13. Deputy R.G.Le Hérissier of St. Saviour will askthefollowing question of the Minister for Transport and TechnicalServices -

" I s the Minister satisfied with the criteria currently used to determine whether to modify the route structure of scheduled bus services?"

14. Deputy K.C. Lewis of St. Saviour will ask the following questionof the Minister for Treasury and Resources -

" W  ould the Minister advise members whether he has any plans to acquire Le Mont de la Ville South Hill Battery, St. Helier, the annex to Fort Regent and an important Heritage site, for development by the States as luxury flats?"

15. Deputy R.G.Le Hérissier of St. Saviour will ask the following question of the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture -

" Would  the  Minister  explain  why  it  is  not  possible  to  carry  out  the  recently  announced

fundamental review of the Department's spending using existing States resources?"

16. Deputy K.C. Lewis ofSt. Saviour will ask the followingquestionof the Minister forEducation, Sport andCulture -

" F urther to reports that Jersey will bid for the 2015 Island Games, will the Minister be seeking to re-commission the swimming pool at Fort Regent?"

3. – Questions to Ministers without notice (30 minutes) -

1 s t q u e stion period – Minister for Planning and Environment.

2 n d q u estion period – Minister for Education, Sport and Culture.

10. PERSONAL STATEMENTS
11. STATEMENTS ON A MATTER OF OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY
12. PUBLIC BUSINESS

Environment Scrutiny Panel: Vote of No Confidence. P.85/2007. Lodged: 19th June 2007.

Deputy G.C.L. Baudains of St.  Clement.

Draft States of Jersey (Amendment No.  3) Law 200-. P.60/2007. Lodged: 10th May 2007.

Privileges and Procedures Committee.

Public Elections: reduction in voting age to 16. P.63/2007. Lodged: 15th May 2007.

Deputy of Grouville .

Draft Distance Selling (Jersey) Law 200-. P.66/2007. Lodged: 16th May 2007.

Minister for Economic Development.

Electoral Registration: link to population register. P.68/2007. Lodged: 22nd May 2007.

Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier.

Electoral Registration: link to population register (P.68/2007): comment. P.68/2007. Presented: 29th June 2007. Com. Privileges and Procedures Committee.

Fields 848, 851 and 853, Bel Royal, St.  Lawrence: Committee of Inquiry – P.81/2007. appointment of members.

Lodged: 13th June 2007.

Connétable of St. Lawrence.

Draft Main Roads (Classification) (Amendment No.  28) (Jersey) Act 200-. P.82/2007. Lodged: 14th June 2007.

Minister for Transport and Technical Services.

13. ARRANGEMENT OF PUBLIC BUSINESS

17th July 2007

Social Housing Property Plan 2007–2016. P.6/2007. Lodged: 16th January 2007.

Minister for Housing.

School milk and milk at a reduced rate: continued provision. P.45/2007. Lodged: 27th March 2007.

Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier.

Draft Community Provisions (Wire Transfers) (Jersey) Regulations 200-. P.71/2007. Lodged: 24th May 2007.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Draft Unlawful Public Entertainments (Jersey) Regulations 200-. P.72/2007. Lodged: 31st May 2007.

Minister for Home Affairs.

Registration of political parties. P.73/2007. Lodged: 5th June 2007.

Privileges and Procedures Committee.

Registration of political parties (P.73/2007): amendments. P.73/2007. Amd. Lodged: 14th June 2007.

Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier.

Draft States of Jersey (Powers, Privileges and Immunities) (Committees of P.74/2007. Inquiry) (Jersey) Regulations 200-.

Lodged: 5th June 2007.

Privileges and Procedures Committee.

Composition of the States: revised structure and referendum. P.75/2007. Lodged: 5th June 2007.

Privileges and Procedures Committee.

Composition of the States: revised structure and referendum (P.75/2007) – P.75/2007. Amd. amendment.

Lodged: 5th June 2007.

Deputy G.C.L. Baudains of St.  Clement.

Composition and Election of the States Assembly: election dates for Connétable s. P.54/2007. Lodged: 19th April 2007.

Comité des Connétable s.

Composition and Election of the States Assembly: election dates for Connétable s P.54/2007. Com. (P.54/2007) – comments.

Presented: 4th June 2007.

Privileges and Procedures Committee.

Draft Price and Charge Indicators (Jersey) Law 200-. P.76/2007. Lodged: 5th June 2007.

Minister for Economic Development.

Code of Practice for Scrutiny Panels and the Public Accounts Committee. P.77/2007. Lodged: 5th June 2007.

Chairmen's Committee.

Code of Practice for Scrutiny Panels and the Public Accounts Committee P.77/2007. Amd. (P.77/2007): amendment.

Lodged: 19th June 2007.

Chairmen's Committee.

La  Carrière redevelopment and rock face stabilisation works. P.78/2007. Lodged: 5th June 2007.

Minister for Housing.

Draft Financial Services (Amendment of Law) (Jersey) Regulations 200-. P.79/2007. Lodged 5th June 2007.

Minister for Economic Development.

Composition of the States: referendum. P.86/2007. Lodged: 22nd June 2007.

Senator J.L. Perchard.

11th September 2007

Draft Amendment (No.  7) of the Standing Orders of the States of Jersey. P.80/2007. Lodged: 7th June 2007.

Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier.

Draft Amendment (No. 7) of the Standing Orders of the States of Jersey P.80/2007. Com. (P.80/2007): comments.

Presented: 29th June 2007.

Privileges and Procedures Committee.

Draft Health Care (Registration) (Amendment No.  3) (Jersey) Regulations 200-. P.83/2007. Lodged: 14th June 2007.

Minister for Health and Social Services.

25th September 2007

Draft High Hedges (Jersey) Law 200-. P.51/2007. Lodged: 13th April 2007.

Minister for Planning and Environment.

Draft High Hedges (Jersey) Law 200- (P.51/2007): Amendments. P.51/2007. Lodged: 19th June 2007. Amd. Deputy A.J.H. Maclean of St.  Helier.

Retail Strategy: Impact Assessment. P.84/2007. Lodged: 18th June 2007.

Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel.

Draft Road Traffic (No. 58) (Jersey) Regulations 200-. P.87/2007. Lodged: 25th June 2007.

Minister for Transport and Technical Services.

M.N. DE LA HAYE Greffier of the States

28th June 2007 Note –

In accordance with the meeting dates fixed for 2007 by the Privileges and Procedures Committee, this meeting will continue, if necessary, on Wednesday 4th July and Thursday 5th July 2007.

Explanatory Note regarding subordinate legislation tabled at this meeting.

(See Item B)

R&O.80/2007.

These Bye-laws, made under the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002, replace, without substantial amendment, those made under the Public Health (Control of Buildings) (Jersey) Law 1956.

The Bye-laws were made on 22nd June 2007 and come into force on 1st July 2007. R&O.81/2007.

This Order permits the Jersey Motor Cycle and Light Car Club to close part of the La Grande Route des Mielles at La Pulente on  4th August 2007 between 10.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m and to use it for sprint racing.

The Order was made on 27th June 2007 and comes into force on being made.

R&O.82/2007.

Under this Order, the St. Martin's Gymkhana and Fête Committee –

1. m ay close public roads, and use them, for the purpose of holding the Gorey Fête on Thursday 16th August2007;
2. m ay restrict traffic onpublicroads for the same purpose;
3. h as to give public notice of the closuresand restrictions; and
4. h as to take out public liability insurance.

The Order was made on 27th June 2007 and comes into force on being made. R&O.83/2007.

This Order would increases the fares and charges for use of a controlled taxi cab. The increase is achieved by a combination of an increase in the fare for daytime use and a shortening of the periods of time by reference to which waiting charges are incurred. The fares and charges were last reviewed in July 2006.

The Order was made on 27th June 2007 and comes into force on 9th July 2007.

WRITTEN QUESTIONS (See Item I(a))

The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture will table an answer to the following question asked by Senator B.E. Shenton –

"Would the Minister provide a list of all j' category staff within his department, listing job title and place of employment?"

The Minister for Planning and Environment will table an answer to the following question asked by Senator B.E. Shenton -

" W ould the Minister provide the dates that the following developments received planning approval and the names of the President and Vice-President of the Planning and Environment Committee at that time –

( a ) the Cinema Complex?

( b ) the Harbour Reach Development? ( c ) the Waterfront Hotel?"

The Minister for Treasury and Resources will table an answer to the following question asked by the Connétable of Grouville -

" W hat processes for the sale of States' property has the Minister put in place following the recommendations made (and accepted by him) in the Review of the proposed sale of the former Jersey College for Girls site? (S.R.10/2007)"

The Minister for Housing will table answers to the following questions asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

"1. States rental

A  t a recent briefing on the Housing Property Plan, the Minister advised members that there were only

some 25 applicants on the States rental waiting list for 3-bedroom houses; will he inform members how many tenants have applied for transfer to 3-bedroom accommodation for medical or under-housing reasons?

W  ill he further state how many applicants have been removed from the transfer list for 3-bedrooms for

rent arrears or other problems?

2. Purchase

W ill the Minister explain the basis for his assurance that the increase in permanent j' category numbers

is not responsible for the house-price inflation currently witnessed in the 3+ bedroom housing market, and why, therefore, he has recently called for an emergency ministerial debate on the need to build more housing as a result of the Island's need for increased numbers of j' categories to feed the objective of 2 per cent economic growth?

W hat predicted figures for future numbers of j' category and other immigration does the Minister

currently have on which to base future housing demand?

3. D oes the Minister not agree that therehasnonethelessbeen a substantialriseinthenumberof j' categories being granted in the last 2 quartersof the last year, andfurthermore, does he accept, asthe Statistics Departmentdoes, that in the finance sector, whereashequotesthe overall figure of 84 per cent locally qualified, inthe finance sector in the third quarter of2006,thenumbers were such that 75per cent of new employeeswere locally qualified and 25 per cent, a rise inthe proportion, came from j' categories and non-locally qualified in the finance sector, which was responsible for the largest proportion of expansionofjobs?"

The Minister for Social Security will table answers to the following questions asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier -

"1. Will the Minister inform members the reasons for the delay in preparing the necessary Codes of Practice

under the Employment Relations (Jersey) Law 2007 (adopted by the States on 17th May 2005 and subsequently amended, but not yet in force), given that much of the Law cannot be put into practice without them, and state when members should expect to see the Codes?

2.  Will the Minister inform members of the reasons for requiring further time for the presentation of income support plans to the Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel and to the Assembly following his presentation to the Council of Ministers on 8th June 2007?

The Chairman of the Privileges and Procedures Committee will table an answer to the following question asked by Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of St. Saviour -

"Would the Chairman outline why the Corporate Scrutiny Panel was seen as the body which was qualified to assess the manpower implications of the proposed Freedom of Information Law? What other alternatives were or are being explored to expedite the process?"

The Minister for Economic Development will table an answer to the following question asked by Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of St. Saviour -

"Would the Minister advise when he will be presenting a consultation paper (Green Paper') outlining the various options in respect of establishing an office of Financial Services Ombudsman, has he considered how such an Ombudsman would be funded and if so, would a levy on the industry be an option?"

The Minister for Planning and Environment will table an answer to the following question asked by Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of St. Saviour -

"Does the Minister consider it desirable that power to grant planning permission be vested in one person, that is, the Minister for Planning and Environment? If not, what does he propose to do about it?"

The Minister for Home Affairs. will table an answer to the following question asked by Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of St. Saviour -

"Is the Minister satisfied that the enactment of the Public Entertainment Regulations, 2004, is a legally valid exercise of the powers under the Order in Council of 1771?"

The Minister for Planning and Environment will table an answer to the following question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

" I n the light of the assurances given by the Minister on 19th June to reveal all the necessary details in relation to the financial package' pertaining to the lowering of the road at the Waterfront, will he inform members what overall profit levels are anticipated as likely to accrue to the developer and subsequent owners/leaseholders?

Further, will the Minister inform members what consideration, if any, has been given by him and the Treasury and Resources Minister to the return to government in taxation that will result from the Waterfront development under the zero/ten tax initiative, and if none, will he now do so and report back to members before he returns to the States with the Hopkins Plan'?

When can members expect to receive the promised paper detailing the extraordinary economic benefits' to be derived from the capital investment in, and running costs of small museums/galleries elsewhere, and how such benefits can be transposed to the proposed national gallery on the waterfront? Can the Minister indicate to members on which ministerial budget he expects such running costs to be included: Education, Sport and Culture or Economic Development (Tourism)?"

The Chief Minister will table answers to the following questions asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St.  Helier-

" 1 . Further to the answers given in response to Deputy J.A. Martin on 19th June 2007 on the 2006 migration and population figures, will the Chief Minister inform members –

(a ) h ow many of the 200 heads of households were granted time-unlimited j' category licences? (b ) h ow many of the 340 dependants were –

(i )  ch i l d re n ?

(i i) el i g ib l e /likely to take up employment?

2. Given the Chief Minister's expressed policy to maintain economic growth at 2% per year whilst containing job growth to 1% (500 jobs) –

(a ) c an the Chief Minister explain to members why job growth in 2006 amounted to 1,540, or 3%?

(source: Stats Unit - Jersey Labour Market December 2006)?

(b )       w hat measures, if any, are envisaged to contain job growth to within the target of 1% for coming

years, and if not does he expect similar figures for 2007? Will these include measures to increase productivity, and if so, what specific measures will he or his Ministers employ to bring this about?

(c ) w hat proportion of the increase in total employment in the private sector in 2006 is attributable to

the employment of j' category and non-qualified staff?

(d ) w hat measures does the Chief Minister propose to limit the accelerating rate of private sector j'

category job growth, led by the finance sector, illustrated by the 80% increase over 5 years in Figure 8 of the Jersey Labour Market December 2006 above?"

The Minister for Housing will table an answer to the following question asked by Deputy S. Pitman of St. Helier- ( a ) Would the Minister provide a breakdown of his Department's £75 million maintenance backlog?

( b ) Would the Minister provide an age profile of those 1000 better-off' tenants, identified within the

Social Housing Property Plan as paying full-fair rent without abatement or paying at least 90 per cent full-fair

rent?

( c ) What consultation has been undertaken by the Department with the 1000 better-off' tenants, identified

within the Social Housing Property Plan as paying full-fair rent without abatement or p a ying at least 90 per cent full-fair rent, to enable it to identify the likely uptake of tenants of t h e proposed Shared Equity Scheme?

( d ) What consultation has been undertaken by the Department with the tenants currently o ccupying the

800 properties that have been earmarked for sale within the Social Housing P roperty Plan, to enable it to identify the likely uptake of tenants of the proposed Shared E quity Scheme?

( e ) In view of the fact that the Social Housing Property Plan is to be debated on the 17th July 2 007,

would the Minister inform Members what discussion has taken place between his Department and those mortgage providers who provide mortgages to the over 50's?

The Minister for Transport and Technical Services will table an answer to the following question asked by Deputy S. Pitman of St. Helier –

" ( a) Would the Minister advise members how much annual revenue is received from Gas Place car park, (and which will be lost once it is converted to the town park)?

( b ) Would the Minister provide the total cost of the proposed refurbishment of Minden Place car park?"

The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture will table an answer to the following question asked by Deputy G.C.L. Baudains of St. Clement -

" W ould the Minister, in relation to the student loan scheme, advise members –

( a ) whether there will be an maximum loan amount for the overall period of study, including interest, given

that there is a £1,500 maximum per annum?

( b ) whether the terms of the agreement reached with the Banks by the Minister includes reference to interest

charged and, if so, whether that includes a fixed or variable rate? Furthermore will the Minister be underwriting loans above a set limit?

( c ) whether loans will be fixed term, or able to be paid back with corresponding reduction in interest? ( d ) how the scheme caters for students who may be declined a loan by banks for whatever reason?"

The Minister for Treasury and Resources will table answers to the following questions asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier -

" 1 . When the Minister set a cap on mortgage tax relief in 2003 for the 2004 budget, the average price of a three bedroom house was £333,000; it is now £381,000 and rising. Will the Minister inform members whether he has under consideration any of the following actions –

(a ) r aising the cap in line with inflation, or

(b ) r aising it in line with average house price inflation, to around £350,000 or (c ) l eaving the cap where it is, thus generating additional tax revenue, or

( d ) r educing the cap, as occurred in the UK during MIRAS (Mortgage Interest Relief At Source)

reform?

W  il l t he Minister further indicate what tax revenues might be generated or lost from any of the above

actions?

2 . D oes the Minister consider that property owners in the buy-to-let market enjoy a tax advantage over

those buying to occupy under Jersey tax rules and if so, would he consider the introduction of measures to remove such inequities in treatment?"

The Minister for Planning and Environment will table an answer to the following question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier -

" I s the Minister now able to reveal the results of the wind-tests performed on the Castle Quay development?"

The Minister for Transport and Technical Services will table an answer to the following question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier -

" H as the Minister consulted with the residents of numbers 1 and 2 districts of St Helier regarding plans to demolish Ann Court and replace it with a multi-storey car park, and if not, when will he start the consultation process?"

ORAL QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS WITHOUT NOTICE (See Item I(c))

1st Session –

2nd Session –