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Arrangements for questions without notice to all Ministers [P.54/2020]

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STATES OF JERSEY

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ARRANGEMENTS FOR QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE TO ALL MINISTERS

Lodged au Greffe on 27th April 2020 by Deputy R. Labey of St. Helier

STATES GREFFE

2020  P.54

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

to refer to their Act dated 22nd April 2020, in which they agreed that, until 1st October 2020, every scheduled meeting of the States would include a period of questions without notice during which questions might be put to any Minister about the response of the Government of Jersey to the Coronavirus crisis; and to agree to remove the requirement that such questions be about the response to the Coronavirus crisis so that questions may be put to Ministers on any subject within the official responsibility of the Government of Jersey.

DEPUTY R. LABEY OF ST. HELIER

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P.54/2020

REPORT

This  proposition  removes  the  Coronavirus-related  only'  restriction  for  questions without notice to any Minister, as prescribed by Covid-19: questions without notice to all Ministers on the response of the Government of Jersey' (P.51/2020). If this new proposition were adopted, Ministers would therefore face questions without notice on any issue that falls within the scope of their portfolio – as well as issues relating the pandemic we are currently enduring.

Whilst P.51/2020 was only recently approved by the Assembly, the division caused during the debate, and evident in the close vote, was concerning. The procedure for questions is of utmost importance to Members; and any change should ideally gain a greater consensus. That is what this further proposition seeks to achieve.

P.51/2020 dissolves on 1st October 2020 and we will revert to the status quo at that time. An opportunity presents itself, however, to try something new; something which may bear fruit and represent progress such that Members feel question time' is better and more productive.

This proposition simply asks Members to give that a try. Financial and manpower implications

There are no financial or manpower implications for the States arising from the adoption of this proposition.

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P.54/2020