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2018.07.10
3.9 Deputy M.R. Higgins of St. Helier of the Chief Minister regarding implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry: [OQ. 103/2018]
Will the Chief Minister advise Members whether it is his policy that the recommendations of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry will be fully implemented and, if so, will he make that implementation one of his Government's priorities?
Connétable C.H. Taylor of St. John (Assistant Chief Minister - rapporteur):
This is a priority and it is one of the reasons for proposing that Senator Mézec 's portfolio be extended to include the responsibility and well-being of children. In undertaking the work, the recommendations of the inquiry, the Government will listen to views of the public and, especially, the care leavers. This is why Haut de la Garenne will be kept, following consultations with both the public and care leavers. This is a key part of improving the trust between Government and Islanders, which, in itself, was one of the recommendations of the report.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
I am going to have to read this afterwards, because it sounded less than wholehearted, believe it, or not. Difficult with the Chief Minister not being here, but can the Assistant Minister tell us whether the Chief Minister is also going to pursue the recommendation about the "Jersey way" and will he be supporting those things to try and remove the negative "Jersey way" from our Island, including will he be voting in the vote to retain the Bailiff , or not?
The Deputy Bailiff :
I do not think how the Chief Minister votes is a matter for which he has official responsibility in the terms of question time, but I think the Assistant Chief Minister could answer the first part, if he will do so.
The Connétable of St. John :
There are many, many interpretations of the Jersey Way: the Honorary Police, the honorary system of the Parishes, the Parishes themselves. If you want to get rid of those, well that is something, I think, that is a separate debate. Within the reports there are certain - it is recommendation 7 of the "Jersey way" - and the Chief Minister, and I do not want to put words in his mouth, but my understanding is that there are concerns surrounding that issue. But, this is why it is important to consult with the public and to consult with the care leavers.
[10:30]
We have already seen that the care leavers and the public do not want Haut de la Garenne to be knocked down and the recommendation was that we should do. Which do we follow? The recommendations of the Care Inquiry, or the wishes of the public of this Island and the care leavers? I know which way I go.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
It just struck me: that was not a ringing endorsement of the Independent Care Inquiry, which we paid £23 million for. All I can say is that the Haut de la Garenne one, I was neutral on that and really if the care leavers supported
The Deputy Bailiff :
Deputy , it does have to be a question.
Deputy M.R. Higgins:
OK. In fact, I will wait until the Chief Minister is back and I will ask him again directly myself. Thank you.