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3. Oral Questions The Deputy Bailiff :
We now come to Oral Questions. As indicated, I am going to call first on the Connétable of St. John to ask a question of the Minister for Economic Development.
3.1 Connétable P.J. Rondel of St. John of the Minister for Economic Development regarding the use of the former La Folie Inn building to train emergency services:
Will the Minister advise who gave permission for the former La Folie Inn building, which is a proposed B.L.I./S.S.I. (Building of Local Interest/Site of Special Interest), to be used to train emergency services and why was this building chosen when the States have many former housing properties which are to be demolished and have no historic value that could have been used?
Senator A.J.H. Maclean (The Minister for Economic Development):
Permission was given by Ports of Jersey to the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service to use La Folie site earlier this year for an exercise, which involved the use of breathing apparatus as part of a search and rescue training, on the proviso that those activities would not cause permanent damage to the fabric of the building. Although I cannot comment on behalf of other departments, I understand different States buildings are identified and permission sought to use them based on specific challenges presented. La Folie in particular was popular as it is in a central location, has easy parking and the internal layout is compact and challenging for such exercises. I am assured that recent activities undertaken by the States Fire and Rescue Services have not caused any damage to the property, which is regularly checked by officers and remains wind and watertight. Thank you.
- The Connétable of St. John :
Will the Minister review the answer he has given, given that he says there has been no damage done to the building? Will he review through his officers to make sure that the building had not previously been used on other exercises by other emergency services, because I am reliably informed that there is considerable damage on the inside of that building?
Senator A.J.H. Maclean:
As I say, I am assured that that is not the case, but indeed if there is evidence to the contrary I would be interested to receive it from the Connétable . I am very happy to look into the matter and, using his terms, review what I have been informed to date.
The Connétable of St. John :
I would be more than happy to meet the Minister on site. Thank you.
- Deputy S. Power of St. Brelade :
Could the Minister give an indication to the Assembly if the building is going to be continued to be used for training exercises? Could he give an indication as to whether the building will remain essentially unoccupied and not in commercial usage for the next 10 years?
Senator A.J.H. Maclean:
Part A of the question, it is not my understanding that there are regular exercises held at that particular building. In fact, I think the Fire and Rescue Services have used 8 different premises during the course of the last year or so. This is the only occasion that this particular one has been used. As far as further uses, yes, there have been a number of occasions when uses have been considered. Obviously La Folie has to be considered to the overall Ports of States. That is a matter together with Property Holdings and the States of Jersey Development Company that we are continuing to review. I am hopeful that announcements will be made in the not too distant future of progress for redevelopment.
The Deputy Bailiff :
We come on to the Connétable 's second question because he was so brief with the first.