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STATEMENT TO BE MADE BY THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING ON WEDNESDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2011
Appointment of Assistant Minister for Housing
I wish to advise the Assembly that today I will sign my first Ministerial Decision, in which, with the agreement of the Chief Minister, I will appoint the Connétable of St John as Assistant Minister for Housing. In making this appointment I took into account the Connétable 's experience both as Assistant Minister and at Planning, as well as of the need for continuity.
1.2 Statement by the Minister for Housing regarding appointment of Assistant Minister.
Deputy A.K.F. Green of St. Helier (The Minister for Housing):
I wish to advise the Assembly today that I will sign my first ministerial decision in which, with the agreement of the Chief Minister as required by Standing Orders, I will appoint the Constable of St. John as Assistant Minister for Housing. [Approbation] In making this appointment I took into account the Constable's experience, both as the Assistant Minister and at Planning as well as the need for continuity.
- Deputy J.M. Maçon:
May I firstly congratulate the Minister on his appointment and his Assistant Minister on his reappointment. However, can the Minister confirm that there is not covert policy by the Council of Ministers to put pressure either on the Deputy of St. John or myself by surrounding us by yet another Minister?
Deputy A.K.F. Green:
I can confirm that.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
I would just like to ask the Minister whether he is going to delegate any particular responsibilities to the Assistant Minister, or is it too early to say yet?
Deputy A.K.F. Green:
It is too early to say that. We were rather hoping to sit down this afternoon and discuss things like that, but we have been doing other things.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
Earlier we saw the new Foreign Minister was appointed because of the people he knows, whoever those people might be. What was the special criteria and experience that the Constable of St. John brought to the post?
Deputy A.K.F. Green:
Apart from being a jolly good chap, I really felt that some continuity was important; 3 Ministers in a very short time, 8 or 9 months to go before the next election, we have got a big job of work to do. He has the knowledge, he has the skills, and I think it is the right appointment.
- Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
Can the Minister for Housing confirm he did not consult his magic wand, as there is a rumour that any God-fearing, decent Minister for Housing would not go near that website. [Members: Oh!]
Deputy A.K.F. Green:
I would have to say that living where I live the link to the States website and Google and all the rest of it is not very good, so I have not had time to consult.
- The Deputy of St. John :
In the Minister's absence from the Island or through illness, will he instruct his Assistant Minister to attend the Council of Ministers in his absence?
Deputy A.K.F. Green:
I will not instruct my Assistant Minister; I will see if he is available to attend in my absence.
- The Deputy of St. John :
A supplementary. Given that I have attended many Council of Minister meetings in my capacity as Chairman, I am always surprised at not seeing that many Assistant Ministers in the absence of the Ministers. Will he please entice his colleagues within the Ministries just joined to make more use of their Assistants in the absence of the Minister?
Deputy A.K.F. Green:
Of course. Assistant Ministers - I know, having been one - play a valuable role. Of course, I will encourage them to use them.
- Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire:
I know he has only been a Minister for Housing for a short period of time, but really, I must say, his answers seem to be direct. He is answering the questions. What is going wrong? [Laughter]
Deputy A.K.F. Green:
I have yet to have my tutorial.