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3.13 Deputy M.R. Higgins of the Minister for External Relations regarding his involvement in the work being undertaken with the local synod on whether Jersey should be part of the diocese of either Winchester or Dover: [1(243)]
Will the Minister advise what official duties, if any, he has in relation to the work being undertaken with the local synod on whether Jersey should be part of the diocese of either Winchester or Dover? If he has such duties, will he further advise whether the Assembly will have a role in that decision, in particular via any approval of changes in canon law?
Senator P.M. Bailhache (The Minister for External Relations):
The Chief Minister is responsible for constitutional matters within the Executive branch of Government and so would be expected to lead on any such considerations for the Channel Islands. It would also be for the Chief Minister to lodge for consideration by the Assembly any proposed changes to the canons of the Church of England in Jersey, as was the case when the canons were decided upon and approved by the Assembly in January 2011. As Minister for External Relations, I would only become involved in my ministerial capacity if such matters affected the consul’s common policy on external relations presented to the Assembly in July 2015, which includes, for example, the principle that we should, and I quote: “Protect Jersey’s unique constitution” and that we should, and I quote: “Maintain positive relations with the Bailiwick of Guernsey co-ordinating on matters of mutual interest.”