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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER BY DEPUTY M. TADIER OF ST. BRELADE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 28TH JUNE 2016
Question
Does the Council of Ministers agree that the dual role of the Bailiff in Jersey as both Chief Justice and Speaker of Jersey's legislature is at odds with international parliamentary best practice and what would the consequences be for Jersey's international reputation were the States to reject P.54/2016 Bailiff of Jersey: cessation of dual role and the appointment of an elected Speaker of the States' and vote not to implement a separation of powers with regard to the dual role of Jersey's Chief Justice and Speaker of the Jersey Assembly? Moreover, will the Chief Minister confirm whether collective responsibility will be exercised on this proposition, and if not, why not?
Answer
P.54/2016 Bailiff of Jersey: cessation of dual role and the appointment of an elected Speaker of the States' relates to the composition, practices and procedures of the States Assembly. It is therefore a matter for the consideration of the States Assembly and falls within the remit of the Privileges and Procedures Committee (Standing Order 128(a). As such, the Council of Ministers is not required to adopt a collective position.
It is, therefore, for Ministers and Assistant Ministers to respond to the Proposition in accordance with their individual views on the outcome which would be most suitable for the States Assembly.
My comments on this matter have previously been set out clearly in P.160Com(4)/2013 (Elected Speaker of the States (P.160/2013): Comments1) which are extensively replicated within the Proposition.
1 http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/AssemblyPropositions/2013/P.160-2013Com(4)corrected.pdf