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3.6 Deputy S. Pitman of St. Helier of the Chairman of the Privileges and Procedures Committee regarding a separate referendum question on the Bailiff 's role:
Will the Chairman advise whether any consideration has been given to having a separate referendum question on the same day as the proposed electoral reform referendum, namely on the Carswell recommendation that the Bailiff should cease to act as President of the States and if not, why not?
Connétable A.S. Crowcroft of St. Helier (Chairman, Privileges and Procedures Committee
The simple answer is no. P.P.C. (Privileges and Procedures Committee) was required by the States, according to the fourth term of reference when the Electoral Commission was set up and I quote: "To present the Commission's proposals to the States for approval prior to the submission of the proposals to the electorate." It was not discussed by P.P.C. and it does not seem to me to be P.P.C.'s job to do that in the current proposed referendum.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
Given that the reality is that we have had 2 reports that have said that this antiquated and undemocratic process needs to stop, both Clothier and Carswell, and that the Chairman, in taking his position of P.P.C., did promise to bring it forward within a year, yet he has done nothing, could he give us an answer as to when he is going to do something or if a Back-Bencher brings it forward, will his committee support that and try and establish democracy?
The Connétable of St. Helier :
Yes, it might have been helpful if that question had been put to me rather than the one that was put. I can confirm that P.P.C. has considered the Carswell Report on 20th June and it concluded it would give further consideration to the recommendations of Carswell once the findings of the Electoral Commission were known. Now that the Commission has published its final report, P.P.C. will revisit Carswell as soon as possible and in order to be helpful to the Deputy , I can say that I will add this matter to our agenda of our next meeting which is a week on Thursday.
- Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
I wonder, broadening the question slightly, could the Minister advise the House if his committee are working on the actual terms of the referendum?
The Bailiff :
No, you may not. That has nothing to do with the question at all. [Laugher] [Approbation]