The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
2.2 Deputy T.M. Pitman of St. Helier of the Minister for Housing regarding the source of 1(1)(k) resident's wealth:
If I can apologise, as I have forgotten reading glasses I may have to don my sinister black former Chief Minister glasses at some point. Please do not be alarmed. Given that justification for allowing those granted 1(1)(k) status to circumvent the housing qualification period which applies to others is their high value to the community, will the Minister clarify whether the wealth accumulated by any current 1(1)(k) resident has been linked to previous mercenary activity or the supply of arms and whether background checks are carried out to ensure that such residents are not welcomed?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur (The Chief Minister - rapporteur):
In the absence of the Minister for Housing, before making 1(1)(k) decisions the Minister for Housing is aware of all the material facts following detailed background checks. Many 1(1)(k) applicants are the subject of media interest, but I am not aware of any case where subsequent media reports have brought any new information to light. This should assure Members that the checks carried out are thorough and wide- ranging. Having said that, I do not think it is appropriate for me to comment further on the personal affairs and business background of any housing applicant.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
Supplementary. I just wonder if the Chief Minister could shed some light on an email from the Minister for Housing and I quote: "As regards the arms dealer [the arms dealer] my understanding is that whatever Mr. X [and I changed that] all his trading operations are not in Jersey, he simply resides here and the majority [the majority] of his activities are in oil and energy." Perhaps the Minister could clarify that?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
I cannot really clarify a comment made by an absent Member of the States in an email. We are talking about the personal affairs of one particular applicant. I do not think it is appropriate for us to do so here.
- Deputy J.A. Martin of St. Helier :
The Chief Minister mentioned detailed checks. Who carries these out? Hopefully it is not the person at population who is also entrusted to lure 1(1)(k)s to the Island and hopefully it is completely police checked.
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
There are a whole variety of background checks and those certainly include personal references, police checks, internet searches, confirmation from relevant officers, due diligence from professional firms, financial records, computer search tools, a whole variety of things carried out by a variety of staff - very detailed. I can assure Members that any applicant has to go through a vigorous process before being assessed and approved or otherwise.
- Deputy J.A. Martin:
The Chief Minister said a variety of checks under different ... who heads up this team? Is it the police or is it population?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
It is run from the Population Department, but, as I say, using the expertise of a variety of external agencies, so it is primarily a Ministerial team but fully advised by professional firms and people.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
Deputy Martin rather stole my question. However, and of course, all members of the public are innocent and everyone will have different views on the morals of mercenaries, et cetera. But could the Minister clarify if evidence should come to light that one our residents has got such a background, are there any sanctions available that would curtail that status? Does he view that as important?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
I could not give a categoric answer to that one because the situation has never arisen in the past and is unlikely to given the detailed nature of the background checks. If a person has knowingly and wilfully misled the States in an application then there may be grounds one can take and that would be a legal issue on which I am not prepared to comment at this stage without further information.