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2019.01.15
11 The Connétable of St. Brelade of the Minister for Home Affairs regarding
contingency plans in place should drones compromise safety at Jersey Airport: [OQ.11/2019]
Will the Minister advise Members what contingency plans, if any, are in place in the event of drones being sighted in positions that compromise safety at Jersey Airport?
Connétable L. Norman of St. Clement (The Minister for Home Affairs):
It is my understanding that in the circumstances described by the Constable that the Airport Director or the Director of Civil Aviation will take any action that is necessary to ensure the safety of the public. I am told that this could include diverting air traffic and, if circumstances require, the suspension of flights and the police will then be called in to investigate.
- The Connétable of St. Brelade :
Has the Minister considered using the technology utilised to control drones in prison zones to obviate their effect on airport operations?
The Connétable of St. Clement :
No, I have not because I have no political responsibility for the airport or any management responsibility for the airport; that would be a matter for the Ports of Jersey and the Director of Civil Aviation.
- The Connétable of St. Brelade :
Given that the prisons do come under the Minister's remit, would he agree that it would be sensible to utilise some of the technology and share it with Ports?
The Connétable of St. Clement :
I really am not qualified to comment on that. Clearly, if the Director of Civil Aviation or the Ports of Jersey feel they require additional security measures, they will request it from the appropriate Minister and that Minister is not me.
- The Connétable of St. Brelade :
I feel that the Minister is being a bit defensive and I think that Members will be aware that drones have caused considerable difficulties in the U.K. of late. I would urge him to develop a policy with the police, with the prison and in collusion with perhaps the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, as how the matter may be addressed so that the travelling public are not disrupted in the same way they have been recently in Gatwick.
The Connétable of St. Clement :
I am advised that the Director of Civil Aviation is comfortable with the current legislation and facilities but I will pass on the Constable's comments to him for consideration.
The Connétable of St. Brelade : I thank the Minister.
Senator S.Y. Mézec :
Sir, before I ask my question, could you please just confirm that you are aware that my intention in supplementary questions is to ask questions, which are critical of your recent refusal to allow me to ask a question that relates to your office?
The Bailiff :
Those questions may or may not be in order and I would not know that until you asked them.
[12:00]
But on the face of it, the chairman of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, if invited to discuss the ruling which has been made by the Chair to disallow a question that the Chair thinks is out of order, would not be able to answer that question because the P.P.C. has no remit over such decisions; that remit lies with the Chair. Until I hear what the supplementary question is, I do not know whether it is in order or not.