The States voted by 27 to seven in favour of a longer Question Time

At the moment, every States sitting starts with an hour-long session in which committee presidents are asked questions by other members.

The Privileges and Procedures Committee already recommended extending that by 30 minutes so questions not submitted in advance could be asked.

After a States decision on Wednesday, another half hour has been added, bringing Question Time up to two hours.

General election

Deputy Geoff Southern, who put the proposal to extend question time forward, said it would mean better scrutiny of policies.

Members voted by 27 votes to seven in favour of his proposals.

They also agreed to give departments more time to prepare answers put to ministers by backbenchers.

The island is due to hold a general election in November before changing to its new ministerial system of government the following month.