Order Paper 1st July 2008

STATES OF JERSEY ORDER PAPER

Tuesday 1st July 2008

1. COMMUNICATIONS BYTHE PRESIDING OFFICER
2. TABLING OF SUBORDINATE ENACTMENTS
3. DOCUMENTS PRESENTED OR LAID

Environment Scrutiny Panel: Independent Review – Planned infrastructure for R.43/2008. implementing the Island's Waste Strategy and Consideration of possible Rpt. alternative approaches (R.43/2008) – response of the Minister for Transport and

Technical Services.

Presented: 25th June 2008.

Minister for Transport and Technical.

Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work: Report and Financial Statements R.63/2008 for the year ended 31st December 2007.

Presented: 26th June 2008.

Minister for Social Security.

Second Interim Report of the Constitution Review Group. R.64/2008. Presented: 27th June 2008.

Council of Ministers.

4. NOTIFICATION OF LODGED PROPOSITIONS

Provision of land for lifelong dwellings (for people over 55) and first-time P.75/2008. buyers: amendment to Island Plan (2002) (P.75/2008) – amendment. Amd. Lodged: 20th June 2008.

Minister for Planning and Environment.

Human Rights Committee and Statements of Compatibility (P.78/2008): P.78/2008. amendment. Amd. Lodged: 24th June 2008.

Chairmen's Committee.

Draft Water Resources (Jersey) Law 2007 (Appointed Day) Act 200-. P.105/2008. Lodged: 20th June 2008.

Minister for Planning and Environment.

Rent Control Tribunal: appointment of Chairman and Members. P.106/2008. Lodged: 23rd June 2008.

Minister for Housing.

Vote of No Confidence: the Bailiff of Jersey. P.107/2008. Lodged: 25th June 2008.

Deputy S. Pitman of St. Helier .

Social Security Tribunal: appointment of members. P.108/2008. Lodged: 26th June 2008.

Minister for Social Security.

5. WITHDRAWAL OF LODGED PROPOSITIONS

In accordance with Standing Order 34(1), the proposer of the following proposition lodged au Greffe' has informed the Greffier of the States that it is to be withdrawn –

Parish Rates: the States' liability. P.68/2008. Lodged: 13th May 2008.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

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

1. – Written Questions (attached)

1. The Ministerfor Education, Sport and Culture will table an answer to a questionasked by Deputy S.S.P.A.Powerof St. Brelade regarding visitor numbers to Elizabeth Castle.
   2. The Minister for TransportandTechnicalServiceswill table ananswerto a questionaskedby Deputy G.C.L.Baudainsof St. Clementregarding the La Collette reclamation site.
   3. The Minister forTransport and Technical Services will table ananswer to a questionaskedby Deputy G.C.L.Baudainsof St. Clementregarding the maintenance of the Bellozannechimney.
   4. The Minister forTransport and Technical Services will table ananswer to a questionaskedby Deputy G.C.L. Baudains of St. Clement regarding the maintenance ofthe Jersey Electricity Company'schimney at LaCollette.
   5. The Minister for Health andSocialServices will table an answerto a questionaskedby Deputy J.A. Martin ofSt. Helier regarding the progressof the Health Register.
   6. The Minister for Social Security will tableananswer to a question asked by Deputy G.C.L. Baudains of St. Clement regarding prescription charges.
   7. The Minister for EconomicDevelopment will tableananswerto a question askedby Deputy R.G.LeHérissierofSt. Saviour regarding the use oftheTourismDevelopment Fund.
   8. The Chief Minister will table ananswerto a question asked by Deputy R.G.Le Hérissier of St. Saviour regarding the participation ofpublicsector staff in demonstrations.
   9. The Minister for EconomicDevelopment will table ananswer to a questionaskedby Deputy G.C.L. Baudains ofSt.Clement regarding the useof local labourbyexternalconstruction companies.
2. The Chairman of the Privileges andProceduresCommittee will table ananswer to a question asked bySenatorB.E.Shentonregardingtheproductionofan attendance andvotingsummary ahead ofthe2008 elections.
3. The Minister forSocialSecurity will tableananswerto a questionaskedby Deputy G.P.

Southern of St. Helier regarding the new Income Support benefits.

12. The Chief Minister will tableananswerto a question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding public sector employees' involvement in election campaigns.
13. The Chief Minister will tableananswerto a question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding the circulation of the Economic Impact Assessment for the Waterfront development.
14. The Minister forTreasury and Resources will table an answerto a questionasked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding wage rates within the Island.
15. The Minister for EconomicDevelopment will table ananswer to a questionaskedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding the allocation offundsto Jersey Finance Limited.
16. The Minister forHousing will table ananswer to a questionasked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding the shortfalls identified withintheHousingNeedsSurvey.
17. The Minister forEducation,Sport and Culture will tableananswer to a questionaskedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding the registration and participation ofunder18's in the 2008 elections.
18. The Chairman of the Privileges andProceduresCommittee will table ananswer to a question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helierregardingthe registration and participation of under18'sinthe2008 elections.
19. The Chairmanof the Comitédes Connétable s will table ananswer to a questionaskedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding the registration and participation ofunder18's in the 2008 elections.
20. The Minister for Planning and Environment will table an answer to a question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding the DTZ report into a potential thirdsupermarket.
21. The Minister forHousing will table ananswer to a questionasked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding the transfer of the rent abatementscheme to SocialSecurity.
22. The Minister for Planning and Environment will table an answer to a question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding the provision of amenity spaces.
23. The Minister forTreasury and Resources will table an answerto a questionasked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding tax increases.
24. The Minister forTreasury and Resources will table an answerto a questionasked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier regarding LandValueTax.

2. – Oral Questions (90 minutes)

1. Deputy C.J. Scott Warr enof St. Saviour will ask the following questionofthe Minister for Social Security –

" W ith the possibility of people delaying visits to their doctor, can the Minister provide members with comparable data on the number of G.P. visits before and after the introduction of Income Support?"

2. Deputy G.P. Southern ofSt. Helier will ask the followingquestionofthe Minister for Treasury and Resources –

" W ill the Minister clarify the exemption figures in the Budget 2008 on pages 17 and 18, state what proportion of the cuts' are due to indexation to compensate for fiscal drag' in each year, what proportion is compensation for the impact of GST and what the actual or predicted levels of RPI are for each of the three years in the period 2007 -2009?"

3. Deputy R.G.Le Hérissier of St. Saviour will askthefollowingquestionof the Chairman of Privileges andProcedures Committee –

" G iven that in response to a question on Freedom of Information Legislation on 1st April 2008, the Chairman stated that his Committee would be reviewing the need for legislation after receiving information due by 12th May 2008, would he advise Members what decision has now been reached?"

4. Deputy J.A.Martinof St. Helierwill ask the following question of the Minister forSocial Security –

" C an the Minister inform the Assembly whether the Social Security Department has preferred suppliers for the items covered by special payment provisions within the Income Support Scheme, namely carpets, white goods and dental treatments, and, if so, can he advise how these dedicated suppliers were identified and selected?"

5. The Deputy ofSt.Martin will askthefollowingquestionof the Chief Minister –

" W ill the Chief Minister inform Members whether there is a case pending with the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council regarding the ownership of the Foreshore/Waterfront and, if so, will he update Members on a possible date for the Hearing?"

6. Deputy R.G.Le Hérissier of St. Saviour will ask the following questionoftheMinisterfor Home Affairs –

" W ould the Minister outline what policies, if any, are in place covering the publicity that the States of Jersey police give to arrests?"

7. Deputy K.C. Lewis of St. Saviour will askthefollowingquestionof the Minister for Treasury and Resources –

" G iven that fuel costs continue to rise, will the Minister agree to remove GST from road fuel and if not, why?

8. The Deputy of St.Martin will ask the followingquestionof the Minister for Treasuryand Resources –

" W ill the Minister inform Members how long the scaffolding has been erected at St. James's Church, why it is there, how much it is costing, when it will be removed and whether the building has been considered as a suitable venue for the proposed National Gallery?"

9. Deputy K.C. Lewis of St. Saviour will ask the following question of the Chief Minister–

" D oes the Minister have any plans to update the inheritance laws and if not, why?"

10. Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire of St. Helier will ask the following question of the Chief Minister –

" W ill the Chief Minister advise whether the current Chairman of WEB began his work with

AIB before or after his appointment to WEB, when the Chief Minister was made aware of the

Chairman's AIB involvements, what the interests of the Directors of WEB were at the time of the debate on the Waterfront, including shareholdings, and whether those interests can be accessed by the Public?"

11. Deputy S.S.P.A. Power of St. Brelade will ask the followingquestionof the Minister for Economic Development –

" W  ould the Minister confirm whether certain airlines at Jersey Airport charge a fee for the use of Debit Cards used to buy an e-ticket online and for the cash purchase of a ticket at the Airport and if so, what action, if any, does he propose to take?"

12. Deputy J.A.Martinof St. Helier will ask the followingquestionof the Minister forHousing –

" C an the Minister outline the Housing Department's eviction procedures for States tenants and confirm that, at every stage, tenants are informed, in writing, of their right to appeal and of the Department's intention to seek a 7 day notice to quit' from the Viscounts and can he further confirm that the final decision on eviction, if appealed, is taken by the Magistrate and not the Minister or his Assistant Minister?

13. Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier will ask the following question of the Minister for Social Security –

" Will  the  Minister  describe  the  changes  involved  in  the  replacement  of  the  Rent

rebate/abatement  scheme  with  the  accommodation  component  in  Income  Support  with particular regard to the previous limit on rent to 26.5% of income in the States sector, the reduction in the generosity' of the scheme across the full range of incomes and the overall numbers of households claiming the benefit and the total sum spent?"

3. – Questions to Ministerswithout 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

Council of Ministers: Vote of No Confidence. P.99/2008. Lodged: 13th June 2008.

Senator S. Syvret.

Chief Minister: Vote of Censure. P.100/2008. Lodged: 16th June 2008.

Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier.

Esplanade Quarter, St.  Helier: Masterplan – rescindment. P.97/2008. Lodged: 10th June 2008.

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

Waterfront Enterprise Board Ltd: removal of States Directors and Chairman P.98/2008. from office.

Lodged: 13th June 2008.

Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier.

Draft Sea Fisheries (Inshore Trawling, Netting and Dredging) (Amendment) P.36/2008. (Jersey) Regulations 200- second reading.

Lodged: 6th March 2008.

Minister for Economic Development.

(principles adopted on 29th April 2008)

Draft Marriage and Civil Status (Amendment No.  2) (Jersey) Law 200-. P.61/2008. Lodged: 21st April 2008.

Minister for Home Affairs.

Draft Marriage and Civil Status (Amendment No.  2) (Jersey) Law 200- P.61/2008. (P.61/2008): comments. Com. Presented: 2nd June 2008.

Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel.

Draft Marriage and Civil Status (Amendment No.  2) (Jersey) Law 200- P.61/2008. (P.61/2008): amendments. Amd. Lodged: 19th May 2008.

Deputy of St.  Martin.

Flu pandemic funding. P.67/2008. Lodged: 13th May 2008.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Goods and Services Tax: receipts. P.70/2008. Lodged: 13th May 2008.

Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier.

Human Rights Committee and Statements of Compatibility. P.78/2008. Lodged: 29th May 2008.

Deputy of St.  Martin.

Human Rights Committee and Statements of Compatibility (P.78/2008): P.78/2008. amendment. Amd. Lodged: 24th June 2008.

Chairmen's Committee.

Comptroller and Auditor General: re-appointment. P.101/2008. Lodged: 17th June 2008.

Chief Minister.

8th July 2008 (continuation meeting)

Energy from Waste Facility: establishment and acceptance of tender. P.72/2008. Lodged: 20th May 2008.

Minister for Transport and Technical Services.

Energy from Waste Facility: funding. P.73/2008. Lodged: 20th May 2008.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Jersey Homebuy Housing: amendment to Island Plan Policy H1. P.74/2008. Lodged: 21st May 2008.

Minister for Planning and Environment.

Strategy for Inclusive Vocational Day services and employment. P.102/2008. Lodged: 17th June 2008.

Deputy I.J. Gorst of St.  Clement.

In accordance with Standing Order 32, the Minister for Economic Development has informed the Greffier of the States that he will seek the approval of the Assembly to move the following item to 8th July 2008 from 15th July 2008, in order to reduce the amount of public business at that meeting -

Draft Supply of Goods and Services (Jersey) Law 200-. P.77/2008. Lodged: 23rd May 2008.

Minister for Economic Development.

13. ARRANGEMENT OF PUBLIC BUSINESS

15th July 2008

Draft European Communities Legislation (Implementation) (Bovine Semen) P.43/2008. (Jersey) Regulations 200-.

Lodged: 14th March 2008.

Chief Minister.

Draft Customs and Excise (Amendment No.  6) (Jersey) Law  200-. P.54/2008. Lodged: 7th April 2008.

Minister for Home Affairs.

Provision of land for lifelong dwellings (for people over 55) and first-time P.75/2008. buyers: amendment to Island Plan (2002).

Lodged: 22nd May 2008.

Minister for Planning and Environment.

Provision of land for lifelong dwellings (for people over 55) and first-time P.75/2008. buyers: amendment to Island Plan (2002) (P.75/2008) – amendment. Amd. Lodged: 20th June 2008.

Minister for Planning and Environment.

Draft Proceeds of Crime (Enforcement of Confiscation Orders) (Jersey) P.79/2008. Regulations 200-.

Lodged: 29th May 2008.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Draft Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) (Jersey) Regulations 200-. P.80/2008. Lodged: 29th May 2008.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Draft Drug Trafficking Offences (Enforcement of Confiscation Orders) (Jersey) P.81/2008. Regulations 200-.

Lodged: 29th May 2008.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Draft Public Elections (Expenditure and Donations) (Jersey) Regulations  200-. P.82/2008. Lodged: 30th May 2008.

Privileges and Procedures Committee.

Draft Mental Health (Amendment No.  2) (Jersey) Law 200-. P.83/2008. Lodged: 2nd June 2008.

Minister for Health and Social Services.

Draft Terrorism (Enforcement of External Orders) (Jersey) Regulations 200-. P.84/2008. Lodged: 2nd June 2008.

Minister for Home Affairs.

Draft Shipping (Amendment No. 2) (Jersey) Law 200-. P.85/2008. Lodged: 3rd June 2008.

Minister for Economic Development.

Draft Companies (Takeovers and Mergers Panel) (Jersey) Law 200-. P.86/2008. Lodged: 3rd June 2008.

Minister for Economic Development.

Draft Limited Partnerships (Amendment) (Jersey) Law 200-. P.87/2008. Lodged: 3rd June 2008.

Minister for Economic Development.

Draft Income Support (Amendment of Law) (Jersey) Regulations 200-. P.88/2008. Lodged: 3rd June 2008.

Minister for Social Security.

Draft Income Support (Amendment No.  2) (Jersey) Regulations 200-. P.89/2008. Lodged: 3rd June 2008.

Minister for Social Security.

Draft Food Costs (Offset of Average GST) Bonus (Jersey) Regulations 200-. P.90/2008. Lodged: 3rd June 2008.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Historic Child Abuse Enquiry: Funding. P.91/2008. Lodged: 3rd June 2008.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Brompton Villa, Belize House and Belize Cottage/Store, Great Union Road, P.92/2008. St.  Helier: proposed Deed of Arrangement.

Lodged: 3rd June 2008.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Tevielka, La Rue de la Haye du Puits, Grouville : proposed Deed of P.93/2008. Arrangement for southwest boundary.

Lodged: 3rd June 2008.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Draft Howard Davis Farm (Abrogation of Covenant) (Jersey) Law 200-. P.95/2008. Lodged: 5th June 2008.

Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Draft Howard Davis Farm (Abrogation of Covenant) (Jersey) Law 200- P.95/2008. (P.95/2008): amendment. Amd. Lodged: 12th June 2008.

Deputy I.J. Gorst of St.  Clement.

NOTE: Because of the requirement for a 6 week lodging period the Draft Howard Davis Farm (Abrogation of Covenant) (Jersey) Law 200- (P.95/2008) cannot be debated before Thursday 17th July 2008. If other business on 15th July  2008  is  completed  before  17th  July,  the  Minister  for  Treasury  and Resources has indicated that he will seek the agreement of the Assembly, under Standing Order 26(7), to reduce the lodging period in order that this matter can be debated at that meeting.

Committee of Inquiry: Toxic Incinerator Ash Dumping in the St.  Helier P.96/2008. Waterfront Land Reclamation Schemes.

Lodged: 10th June 2008.

Senator S. Syvret.

Rent Control Tribunal: appointment of Chairman and Members. P.106/2008. Lodged: 23rd June 2008.

Minister for Housing.

Vote of No Confidence: the Bailiff of Jersey. P.107/2008. Lodged: 25th June 2008.

Deputy S. Pitman of St. Helier .

Social Security Tribunal: appointment of members. P.108/2008. Lodged: 26th June 2008.

Minister for Social Security.

9th September 2008

Draft Water (Amendment No.  3) (Jersey) Law 200-. P.58/2008. Lodged: 11th April 2008.

Minister for Planning and Environment.

Draft European Communities Legislation (Bluetongue) (Jersey) P.71/2008. Regulations  200-.

Lodged: 20th May 2008.

Minister for Planning and Environment.

Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy. P.76/2008. Lodged: 23rd May 2008.

Minister for Planning and Environment.

Goods and Services Tax: exemption or zero-rating for foodstuffs and domestic P.103/2008. energy.

Lodged: 17th June 2008.

Deputy of Grouville .

Goods and Services Tax: exemption for fruit, vegetables and milk. P.104/2008. Lodged: 17th June 2008.

Deputy S. Pitman of St.  Helier.

Draft Water Resources (Jersey) Law 2007 (Appointed Day) Act 200-. P.105/2008. Lodged: 20th June 2008.

Minister for Planning and Environment.

M.N. DE LA HAYE Greffier of the States

26th June 2008 Note –

In accordance with the meeting dates fixed for 2008 by the Privileges and Procedures Committee, this meeting will continue, if necessary, on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd July 2008 and, in accordance with the decision made by the States on 19th June 2008, the meeting will continue on Tuesday 8th July, and if necessary, on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th July 2008, in order to consider the outstanding items of public business.

Explanatory Note regarding subordinate legislation tabled at this meeting.

(See Item B)

WRITTEN QUESTIONS (See Item I(a))

1. The Minister for Education, Sport andCulture will tableananswer to the following question askedby Deputy S.S.P.A.Powerof St. Brelade –

" C an the Minister provide in a simple spreadsheet, the number of visitors to Elizabeth Castle between 2003 and 2007 that were carried by Puddle Ducks Limited and by Pure Adventure Limited, including late evening functions at the Castle?"

2. The Minister for Transport and TechnicalServices will table ananswer to the followingquestion asked by Deputy G.C.L. Baudains ofSt.Clement –

" W ith regard to the La Collette reclamation site, would the Minister advise:

1. approximately, at current levelsof tipping, howmany years are left before it is full;
2. approximately howmanyofthoseyears use would be used up should all of the spoilexcavated during the EsplanadeQuarterdevelopment find its waytoLa Collette;
3. whether he intends creating a new reclamation site when the presentoneis full and if so, where?"

3. The Minister for Transport and TechnicalServices will tableananswerto the following question asked by Deputy G.C.L. Baudains ofSt.Clement –

" W ith regard to the Bellozanne chimney, would the Minister advise:

1. how often it has a full internalinspection;
2. when it waslast identified that flue repairs were necessary;
3. the maintenance cost duringeachof the last five years;
4. its present age and expectedlifespan."

4. The Minister for Transport and TechnicalServices will tableananswerto the following question asked by Deputy G.C.L. Baudains ofSt.Clement –

" W ould the Minister advise what information, if any, the Transport and Technical Services has received during negotiations with the Jersey Electricity Company on the use of the chimney at La Collette with regard to –

1. how often it has a full internalinspection;
2. approximate annual maintenance costs;
3. its present age and expectedlifespan."

5. The Minister forHealthand Social Services will table ananswer to the following questionaskedby Deputy J.A.Martinof St. Helier –

" C an the Minister inform the Assembly how many people are now on the Health and Social Services' Health Register, when he expects it to be completed and whether this will be within the agreed timeframe?"

6. The Ministerfor Social Security will table an answer to the following question askedby Deputy G.C.L.

Baudains of St. Clement –

" W ould the Minister:

1. advise whether there has been an increase in the number of prescriptions since patient charges were discontinued and, ifso,byhowmuch?
2. state how much the HealthInsurance Fund is currently insurplus, and how long itis estimated to remain in surplus now prescriptions arefree?
3. advise whetherhe is intending toremove the ringfencingof the abovefund,inorderto enable the inclusion of such matters as dental expenses?"

7. The Minister for Economic Development will table an answer to the following question asked by Deputy R.G.Le Hérissier ofSt.Saviour –

" I s the Minister satisfied that the Tourism Development Fund should be used to fund research for the Economic Development Department as in NZT 148 (feasibility study into the cruise liner market) and NZT 194 (feasibility study for the creation of a tax relief scheme for tourism sector developments) as featured in the Tourism Development Fund Annual report 2007?"

8. The Chief Minister will table ananswer to the following questionaskedby Deputy R.G.LeHérissier of St. Saviour –

" W ould the Chief Minister specify the conditions, if any, under which unionised members of the public service can participate in demonstrations and meetings?"

9. The Minister forEconomicDevelopment will tableananswer to the following question asked by Deputy G.C.L. Baudains of St. Clement –

" W ould the Minister advise of the current procedures, if any, in place to encourage external construction fir to use local contractors and labour, as opposed to temporarily importing foreign labour and what checks any, exist to ensure compliance with those procedures?"

10. The Chairman of the Privileges and Procedures Committee will table an answer to the following question askedbySenatorB.E.Shenton –

" W ill the Privileges and Procedures Committee give consideration to publishing a summary of Members attendance and voting statistics ahead of this year's elections and if not, why?"

11. The Minister forSocialSecurity will tableananswertothefollowingquestionaskedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

"1.  Does the Minister not accept that a like-for-like comparison of benefits on 27th January 2008 with

Income Support (IS) at 28th January 2008 is needed if members are to properly understand the impact of the reforms?

F u rther, does the Minister not accept that such a comparison should not be an arduous task since

much of this data would have been used to assess the new IS system before its introduction and some of the data was actually contained in the letters sent out to IS claimants?

W ould such an analysis produce a different figure for those equal or better off" under the new

scheme than the 56% he currently claims?

2. W ill the Minister inform membershowmany people are affected by, and the cost of, the 3 minor enhancements' to his schemenamely –

(a ) The extension of lone parent component to parents of children aged 16 to 18 who remain in

full time education;

(b ) The high level personal care component to be available to parents of a child with a severe

disability, without reference to parental income; and,

(c ) Automatic entitlement to first level personal care component for those with a 100% Long

Term Invalidity Allowance (LTIA) award

3. I n answerto a further questiononAfterHousing Costs (AHC) disposable income,the Minister stated that "the introduction of Income Support did not affect rental or other housing costs" but then suggested that therewouldbenoimpactonAHC disposable income. Will the Minister explain to members exactly how the followingchanges will orwillnot affect AHC disposable income:

C h a n g e from Health Income Exemption (HIE) to HMA for some;

R e d u c ti on of Disabled Transport Allowance by 50% for those not working; C h a n g e s to the Rent Rebate/Abatement scheme for some claimants?

W  hilst addressing the changes to the Rent Rebate/Abatement scheme, will the Minister also explain

to members how this has been brought about and whether the reduction in the "generosity" of the scheme affects all claimants or just those at the higher incomes, and at what income level these reductions occur along with the total savings achieved?

4. T heMinister has assured memberson several occasions that the sum allocated to ISwasthe sum, adjusted for inflation, that was previously spent on all the previous benefitsreplacedbyIS and that there wasonly a small contingency fund setaside for the unexpected. Howwas the Minister able to state in his answerof 17th June 2008 that a total of over £2.5m has been foundfor additional spending to deal properly with Attendance Allowance, Adult Disability Allowance and Child Disability Allowance from withinthebudget?
5. W ill the Minister confirm that the figures given in ananswer to myquestionon June 17th regarding incentives towork mean that a personon IS will be able toearn only around £40 (or between 7 and 8 hours on the minimum wage) before being subject to a 94 pence deduction in ISfor every additional £1 earned,and if so, how is this supposed to encourageclaimants to return to full-time (35+ hours)working?"

12. The ChiefMinisterwilltableananswer to the following question askedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

" W ill the Chief Minister clarify for members the position regarding the ability of States employees to campaign on behalf of candidates in an election using holiday entitlement or unpaid leave?"

13. The ChiefMinisterwilltableananswer to the following question askedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

" W ill the Chief Minister ensure that the Economic Impact Assessment of the Waterfront Development conducted by the States Economic Advisor is distributed to members in advance of further debate on the Esplanade Quarter?"

14. The Minister for Treasury and Resources will table ananswer to the followingquestion askedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

" F ollowing his written answer of 3rd June 2008, would the Minister state whether wage rates in the Island are driven by competition from the finance sector and will he explain to members the distinction he draws between productivity-based wage rises and other forms of wage increases in terms of their impact on inflation?"

15. The Minister for Economic Development will table an answerto the following question asked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

" W ill the Minister inform members what elements of the Economic Development Department's budget will be subject to reduced spending following the decision to allocate a further £505,000 to the marketing budget of Jersey Finance Limited?"

16. The Minister for Housing will table an answerto the following question askedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

" G iven his response to my question concerning the Housing Needs Survey, when the Minister stated that he disagreed with my suggestion that the shortfall in 2, 3 and 4 bedroom accommodation had not been addressed, will he explain to members why the potential shortfall of such housing identified in the report has increased by two thirds?

W ill he inform members what number of (under 55) one-bed flats are under construction or have

planning permission for 2008 and 2009, given that this was an area identified as over-supplied?"

17. The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture will table an answer to the followingquestionasked by Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

" I n addition to the Scrutiny citizenship involvement, what specific initiatives are in place or under consideration in our schools and colleges to try to ensure registration of under 18's and promote their participation in voting in the forthcoming 2008 elections? In particular, what consideration, if any, has been given to enabling access by candidates on an equal basis to these newly enfranchised voters?"

18. The Chairman of the Privileges and Procedures Committee will table an answer to the following question askedby Deputy G.P. Southern ofSt. Helier –

" I n addition to the Scrutiny citizenship involvement, what specific initiatives are in place or under consideration to try to ensure registration of under 18's and promote their participation in voting in the coming 2008 elections?"

19. The Chairmanof the Comitédes Connétable s will table an answer to the followingquestionaskedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

" I n addition to the Scrutiny citizenship involvement, what specific initiatives are in place or under consideration to try to ensure registration of under 18's and promote their participation in voting in the coming 2008 elections?"

20. The Minister for Planning and Environment will tableananswer to the following questionaskedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

" T he DTZ report into a potential third supermarket refers to "projections for 15 years from 2009 for each of the population growth scenarios that the States of Jersey are now considering", would the Minister state whether these scenarios are the same as those referred to during the Imagine Jersey' exercise and whether they refer to a range of up to 625 heads of household or up to 625 inward migrants?

C o uld the Minister state whether the report will address the estimated size of the workforce required for a

potential third supermarket operator and, if so, is he able to advise what size would that be? Does the report also cover displacement effects in assessing the workforce implications of a third entrant?"

21. The Minister for Housing will table an answerto the following question askedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

" F ollowing his answer given during questions without notice on 29th April 2008 –

1. Would the Minister inform Memberswhat difference the transferof the rent abatementscheme from the Housing DepartmenttoIncome Support through SocialSecurity has made to his Department's revenue stream?
2. Could he further inform Memberswhatconversation, if any, has takenplace between the Housing Department and the Social Security Department over the discretion to pay rent directly to the Housing Departmentorthroughthetenants?
3. Will the Minister undertake, as a matter of urgency, to ensure that the Housing Department's website is updated, as the Publications' section still contains a guide to the RentRebate/Abatement schemedated 2005, whichwasscrappedinJanuary2008?"

22. The Minister for Planning and Environment will tableananswer to the following questionaskedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

" D oes the Minister accept that the proposals for the provision of high quality housing in St. Helier require good amenity space and good parking provisions, which translates to relatively low density housing rather than high density, and if so, is he satisfied that the new guidelines are adequate in this regard?

W  ill the Minister guarantee that any proposals for development in St Helier will have the provision of

adequate amenity space for families with children as a top priority?"

23. The Minister for Treasury and Resources will table ananswer to the followingquestion askedby Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier –

"1. On 3rd June 2008 the Minister gave examples of total tax cuts, in monetary terms, over the three

years 2007, 2008 and 2009, resulting from increases in exemption limits, which included the figure of £374 for a single person. Will he inform members whether this sum was the total tax reduction over the 3 year period or the tax reduction in each of those years?

2. N otwithstanding the impactof the increases in exemption limits, the Minister requested on13th

May 2008 in response to my question on average tax bills that I supply evidence for any calculation on

GST bills. Does the Minister accept that:

(a ) the Household Expenditure Survey (HES) 2004/5, conducted in September 2005, provides the

b es t evidence we have of spending patterns of, and hence GST bills on, Island residents?

( b ) The appropriate uprating for inflation from these figures is of 7.4% to March 2008?

( c ) Using these uprated figures provides a sound method for the assessment of the impact of GST, el i m i n a ting housing costs and other exempt items, on particular sectors of society?

( d ) Further, that the seven groups included in the analysis in Chapter 3 of HES are useful in

m  easuring the impact of GST?

3. D oes he then acceptmy figure of around £950 astheannual tax raised byGST from the average householdin Jersey, according to the updated HES data above, and if not, what figure does hehave?
4. W ill healso produce figures basedon this HES data for the 6 groupsfeaturedin this survey,namely single pensioners,pensionercouples, single parents, couples withandwithout children and single persons?
5. W ill he also produce figures for the GSTimposedonthelowestquintile (20%) of earners givenin Chapter 2 ofHES,and state whether it matchesthe £340 perannumofmy calculations? Willhe then examine the additional sums allocated tocompensatethoseonIncomeSupport for the impact of GST and state whetherhe can show that this compensationisadequate?"

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

" F urther to a response given by the Chief Minister on 11th September 2007 guaranteeing to bring to the Assembly the research that has been done on the potential for Land Value Tax in Jersey, would the Minister advise whether any such research has been done, and if so will he now inform members of its results, and if not will he explain why?

 F  urthermore if the latter case prevails, will he undertake to carry out the said research and inform

members of the results prior to the 2009 budget debate, and if not, will he explain why?"

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

1st Session –

2nd Session –