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2.4 Deputy S. Pitman of St. Helier of the Chief Minister regarding
Could the Chief Minister confirm whether any compensation paid to the victims of historical child abuse will come directly from an insurance fund rather than from the public purse?
Senator I.J. Gorst (The Chief Minister):
The funds to be paid to victims of historic child abuse will initially come from reserves held by the States. The process of addressing the historic child abuse claims is at an early stage and I cannot give details at the present time over the exact financing of those claims, but intend to do so at their conclusion.
- Deputy S. Pitman:
Could the Minister confirm that the compensation will not be just for those abused at Haut de la Garenne, it will include care leavers from other parts of the institution?
Senator I.J. Gorst :
Yes, I can. If any Member wishes to have their mind refreshed about the terms of the scheme, then either they can contact me and I will forward the detail on to them or they are available online as well.
- Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade :
The Chief Minister said they would come initially from reserves of the States, will he state which reserves they will come from initially and the word "initially" obviously implies that somehow they will be replenished. So, after that, what is the course of action that is intended to be taken to reimburse that money?
Senator I.J. Gorst :
My understanding, and I look to the Minister for Treasury and Resources to nod or not accordingly, is that initially they will be coming from contingencies. Of course, the question asked of me in regard to insurance, as one would expect the States does have insurance policies, but equally, as one would expect, insurance companies require confidentiality because they do not want to give rise to claims elsewhere in other jurisdictions that they might also insure.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
I have asked this question before and I would like to know what the follow-up is now. Will the Minister advise whether those abuse victims who are experiencing financial hardship are being allowed to have some money in advance of the payment or is there some mechanism to assist them? Some of them are in desperate economic circumstances.
Senator I.J. Gorst :
The redress scheme is now open and operational. I think, as I answered the Deputy last time, that we were indeed, at that point, very close to announcing the redress scheme. It is now operational. Obviously I do not have the details at this stage, as you would not expect me to because it is out of the political arena but if the Deputy knows of anyone who is suffering, then they should make a claim to the scheme right now.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
Could the Chief Minister advise, and I know he gets asked this regularly, but perhaps if we had some news when will this Committee of Inquiry finally take place because it does seem that even an Electoral Commission can be rushed ahead but this is something very important and it just seems to drag on and on and on.
The Deputy Bailiff :
Sorry, I disallow that question. It does not arise out of the question which has been given. Any further supplementary questions? Deputy Tadier ?
- Deputy M. Tadier :
Would the Chief Minister advise or remind Members what the overall budget roughly is for compensation and how it compares to the budget for the Committee of Inquiry?
Senator I.J. Gorst :
That is a very difficult question to answer. When we launched the scheme, I suggested that there were around 100 people who had asked for subject access requests, which might indicate that there was that number of people who would be making claims. Of course, those claims will then have to be allocated a band and payments made in line with that. So, to some extent, the total amount would be determined by the number of people claiming and the band at which they are entitled to receive a payment.
- Deputy S. Pitman:
What consultation took place with care leavers informing this compensation scheme and what were the views held by them?
Senator I.J. Gorst :
There was indeed consultation with the care leavers, undertaken by the Health and Social Services Department. I believe that they did an excellent job and they should be congratulated for this piece of work. There was also consultation undertaken with the legal representatives of many who I expect will be making a claim under this scheme, not only in Jersey but in the United Kingdom as well.
Deputy S. Pitman:
The Chief Minister has not answered the second part of my question which was does he know what the views were of the care leavers on this scheme?
Senator I.J. Gorst :
As far as I am aware, they are indeed supportive of it, unless the Deputy is going to tell me something different, that is my understanding.