The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
WQ.55/2023
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER
BY DEPUTY M.R. SCOTT OF ST. BRELADE QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 13th FEBRUARY 2023 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 20th FEBRUARY 2023
Question
“Will the Chief Minister advise –
- what proportion of the Minister for External Relations and Financial Services’ work relates to promoting, protecting or otherwise representing the Island in finance industry matters in his ongoing External Relations portfolio;
- with respect to her press statement dated 6th February 2023 regarding her objective of restoring trust and confidence in Government and the standards to which she holds Ministers, what distinction she has made in supporting the Minister for External Relations and Financial Services in continuation of his role in External Relations whilst applying these standards to his Financial Services portfolio, and what consideration she has given to a possibility that this could demonstrate a lack of consistency in application of the said standards;
- any risk assessment and industry consultation she has undertaken with respect to this support; and
- whether she or any other member of the Council of Ministers has received any communications from the public (including current and former members of the finance industry) expressing concern regarding the continuation of the Minister of External Relations and Financial Services in the role of Minister for External Relations and, if so, how many?”
Answer
- The Minister for External Relations, working concurrently with the Chief Minister, is responsible for conducting Jersey’s external relations in accordance with the common policy agreed by the Council of Ministers. This includes serving Jersey's best economic interests by promoting a strong, diversified and internationally-connected economy, safeguarding our competitive position as a platform for global business and promoting growth through trade and investment.
In the course of the Minister’s ongoing engagements, which also include a wide diplomatic remit, it is not possible to specify with accuracy the proportion of work that will relate specifically to promoting, protecting or otherwise representing the Island in finance industry matters. In doing so, however, the Minister will continue to work concurrently with the Chief Minister, and closely with Deputies Millar and Gorst , with regard to financial services.
- Recent reports regarding the administration of Deputy Ozouf ’s personal affairs required a proportionate response. I consider that the transfer of responsibility for financial services and allowing Deputy Ozouf more time to focus on his work as External Relations Minister, where there is an ongoing and significant agenda, met this requirement.
- Ministers and Assistant Ministers engage and consult with industry as part of our everyday roles, and that knowledge and experience helps inform decisions on an ongoing basis, including political ones relating to the allocation of ministerial portfolios.
- This issue attracted considerable public attention, and I have received communications from the public, both verbal and written, expressing a range of views regarding this issue.