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8. The Chairman of the Privileges and Procedures Committee regarding the Machinery of Government Review
8.1 Connétable D.F. Gray of St. Clement (Chairman of the Privileges and Procedures Committee):
Members will recall that on 21st November 2006 they adopted a proposition of Senator B.E. Shenton concerning a review of the first 12 months of ministerial government, together with an amendment of the Privileges and Procedures Committee setting detailed terms of reference for the review. I am making this statement to update Members on the manner in which the Privileges and Procedures Committee has decided to approach this task. P.P.C. has appointed a sub-committee under my chairmanship with Senator M.E. Vibert and the Deputy of St. Mary as members, to undertake the review on behalf of the Committee. We will in this way have representation from both the Council of Ministers and the Scrutiny function. The sub-committee met for the first time last Friday and has set an ambitious schedule of meetings to ensure that it can complete its work before the deadline set by the States of the end of June. The sub- committee believes that its principal role is to hear and collate the views of as many interested parties as possible and we are keen to know the views of States' Members on the matters covered by the review's terms of reference. I will therefore be writing to all Members this week reminding them of the terms of reference and inviting them to give their views in writing or in person at one of the public hearings that the sub-committee will be holding in the coming months. We are also hoping to hear the collected views of bodies such as the Chairmen's Committee, the Scrutiny Panels, the Council of Ministers, the Comité des Connétable s, as well as those senior officers working across the States. In addition, we plan to invite comments from the public and external organisations. Although I described the review during the debate on 21st November 2006 as the first service of a motor vehicle, P.P.C. nevertheless regard it as an excellent opportunity to review how the new system of government has operated in the first year, and make recommendations to address any concerns that have arisen. I hope all Members will take the trouble to give us their views so that our final report can be as representative as possible of Members' experiences over the last 12 months.
The Deputy Bailiff : Any questions?
8.1.1 Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
Would the Chairman acknowledge that, although a good job has been done in pulling together a review board, it may in fact be premature? Secondly, Sir, would he not acknowledge that, despite the tremendous changes brought in, we still have only half a system reformed, i.e. the composition issue is outstanding, and that the system cannot be seen as a fully functioning system? It is like trying to do an M.O.T. on half a motorcar.
The Connétable of St. Clement :
Although I personally agree with what the Deputy has said, the proposition adopted by the States was solely about the machinery of government and did not cover the composition and election of the States.