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1240/5(8512)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHAIRMAN OF PRIVILEGES AND PROCEDURES BY DEPUTY G.C.L.BAUDAINS OF ST CLEMENT
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER 2014
Question
Does the Chairman consider that the publication of figures showing members' attendance levels is a useful guide for members of the public seeking to determine the conscientiousness of their representatives and, if so, would he agree that PPC should publish these figures in future instead of relying on publication by individual members?
Answer
The Terms of Reference of PPC in Standing Order 128 include a requirement for the Committee to publish an annual report on the work of the Assembly and also make the Committee responsible for the provision of information to the public about the work of the States. A number of different statistics about the work of the Assembly are currently collated by the States Greffe throughout the year and used for the annual report. These cover matters such as the number of questions asked, the identity of those who have answered them, the number of statements made and those who have made them, the number, type and length of debates and amount of time spent on all aspects of the Assembly's business.
PPC has stressed on a number of occasions in recent years that it is important for members to comply with their oath of office and the members' code of conduct by attending meetings of the Assembly conscientiously to represent their constituents. I have myself on 2 occasions at the end of the term of office of an Assembly published a list showing the level of attendance of members at recorded votes during the 3 year period. In common with the questioner I believe that this information is useful for the public but I would stress that the lists have been collated and circulated by me in a personal capacity and not produced by the States Greffe or PPC.
I consider that there may be scope to increase the type of official statistics that are produced and published about the work of the Assembly and although there has not been time to raise this issue with PPC I am willing to undertake to place this matter in the legacy report from this PPC so that the new Committee elected in November can consider it. Whether or not the collation of statistics on attendance at votes should be included in the States Assembly annual report in future will be a matter for the new Committee to decide.