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3.3 Deputy M. Tadier of the Minister for Economic Development regarding the removal of the cash machine in the Arrivals Hall at Jersey Airport:
Due to an idiosyncrasy in the protocol, I believe that I already know the answer for the first part of my question but I have been told to ask it anyway. So here goes. Will the Minister advise the Assembly whether the cash machine in the Arrivals Hall at Jersey Airport will be removed within the next few weeks and, if this is the case, would he explain the circumstances which led to this decision and inform the Assembly whether any consultation has taken place with airport users and service providers who could be adversely affected?
Senator P.F. Routier (Assistant Minister for Economic Development -
rapporteur):
I am disappointed to advise that the HSBC Bank has taken the decision to remove the cash dispenser from the land-side arrivals terminal as from later on this week. The reason given by the bank for this has been that, since the facility was introduced in August of 2007, it has never been used at a level which they have considered to be viable. However, HSBC has committed to retaining the existing cash dispensing service offered in the air-side departures lounge which continues to be popular with departing passengers.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
A supplementary, the Assistant Minister may be aware that the Tourism Department
were unaware of this news until Thursday when I told them. Could I ask the department at what stage they became aware that the machine was going to be removed and also were any negotiations entered into with the bank to try and retain the machine?
Senator P.F. Routier:
We have tried to negotiate with the bank to retain the machine. They have indicated to us on a number of times that they are concerned about the level of use of it and it is a commercial decision of the bank to ... they do not see it as a well-used facility and they do not feel that they can warrant the cost of maintaining it and topping it up on a regular basis because it is not used very often.
- Deputy S. Power of St. Brelade :
If I may ask another question on this; has the Assistant Minister ever discussed with HSBC the possibility of fitting this machine on an external wall of the building as distinct from an internal arrivals hall or an internal departures hall? If the machine was available 24 hours a day on an external wall within the airport complex does he not agree with me that it would probably be justifiable?
Senator P.F. Routier:
I have suggested that to the department, to carry out the investigations with the current bank and also other banks. I have asked them to look at all the options which are available to see if there is another way forward of providing cash on the air-side facility.
- Deputy J.B. Fox of St. Helier :
I understand that the machines at the airport and possibly the harbours are the only ones that dispense U.K. money as opposed to Jersey money and I just wondered if that could be brought to the attention of the banks, that it does provide a valuable service? I know when I was on Education a lot of parents used to use it outside hours.
Senator P.F. Routier:
Yes, I do recognise that people do value the ability to acquire U.K. currency from the cash machines and the indication we have from the banks that do have facilities on the air-side, it is their intention to continue to do that.
- Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
Can the Assistant Minister tell us the percentage under-use that there was compared to what the bank would expect?
Senator P.F. Routier: No, I cannot.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
I think part of the question remains unanswered. Were there any negotiations and were the thoughts of the taxi drivers, for example, and concessions at the airport sought and will an alternative service provider be sought?
Senator P.F. Routier:
The consultation with taxi drivers would be something which the banks would, no doubt, have to carry out because it is their facility. It is certainly something which ... it is their customers which they are providing the service for. All that the airport does is give the facility for a bank to have a cash point within the building. It is the banks who are providing the service and it is not the airport itself.