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3.11 The Deputy of St. Martin of the Chief Minister regarding the arrangements for the briefing for States Members relating to the suspension of a hospital consultant in 2006:
Will the Chief Minister inform Members why the only convenient time to arrange a briefing for States Members to discuss the review into the circumstances relating to the suspension of a hospital consultant in 2006 is immediately after today's sitting and why copies of the report have not been made available to Members before the briefing?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur (The Chief Minister):
Copies of the report, which has only just been finalised, will be available before the meeting. Arrangements have been made for copies to be placed in States Members pigeon holes before the States lunch break today. The reason for the meeting being this evening is that due to other commitments the Review Panel members were not available to travel to Jersey either in the week before or for several weeks after the current date. Therefore, taking into account these commitments, and the desire to publish the findings, this was the earliest date it was possible to meet. The author only arrives this afternoon and hence a lunchtime presentation was not possible.
- The Deputy of St. John :
Given this evening is a nomination meeting at the Town Hall where Members, et cetera, will be attending and all 12 Constables are due to be there, does he consider that he is being a bit unfair to all Members of the Chamber to try and rush something like this through on a States day?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
This meeting was planned for immediately after the States sitting at 5.30 p.m. It should finish by 6.15 p.m. or 6.30 p.m. at the latest, which will give Members time to arrive at the Senatorial Nomination Meeting well in advance of 7.30 p.m.
- The Deputy of St. Martin :
Will the Minister confirm that following the debate on 11th September the Minister said this report would be available within 4 and 6 weeks? Will the Minister inform Members as to why it has taken 4 to 6 months? Also, bearing in mind the body that was carrying out the review is being paid by the States, surely they owe it to the States to be here at a convenient time for States Members to have the briefing?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
I think 2 questions there. The review has taken longer than I anticipated. The report was drafted in the middle of January of this year. It has taken another 4 months to
iron out all the legal niceties and the parties concerned before it can be published. I
am sorry it has taken that long. I had not anticipated that, but on the other hand the procedure has to be done properly. As to the second question, I have forgotten that now, if the Deputy can repeat it?
The Deputy of St. Martin :
The reviewers are being paid at taxpayers' expense. Do they not consider it their duty
to be here at a convenient time for the States Members? Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
They are not full-time employees of the States; they have other duties to do as well as this. It has been difficult enough to get them today, but I have asked that they did come today in order that we can do this without further delay. I am as conscious as the Deputy of St. Martin that this has gone on longer than any of us would have liked and hence my desire to have them at the earliest possible opportunity, even if it clashes with other arrangements.
- The Deputy of St. John :
Will the Minister agree he is being very disingenuous to all States Members in the manner in which he is answering these questions? By only allowing us up to 2 hours for this particular review this evening for Members and these advisers that have done this report; it is not being fair to the Members, it is not being fair to the people who are mentioned within this report, and this is yet another cover-up from within his department.
The Greffier of the States (in the Chair):
Sorry, we are not quorate, Chief Minister, so the Assembly will have to await the arrival of one Member. I will ask the usher to summon Members from the empty rooms so the Assembly can become quorate?
The Deputy of St. Martin :
Can I suggest if the other half of us in here would like to go out for tea we adjourn for 10 minutes?
The Greffier of the States (in the Chair):
Very well, Chief Minister, you are able to ask the question asked. Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
No, I am refuting a suggestion I am being disingenuous; far from it. I am trying to be as clear as I can about the reason for the meeting having to be today and having to be this evening. The Deputy seems to think it will not be long enough to answer all his questions. I think that is a premature judgment of him to make. Let him see the report first, let him hear the presentation from the consultants, and then decide whether it has been long enough or not.
The Greffier of the States (in the Chair): Do you wish a final question, Deputy ?
- The Deputy of St. Martin :
Yes. I think most of those people who followed the investigation will know that it is likely to be quite critical of the management. Bearing in mind the current Minister for Health will not apologise to the consultant it concerned, will the Chief Minister feel big enough to apologise to the doctor in this particular case?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
I suggest that is a question better answered after the presentation this evening. I
would be happy to answer that question at that time.