States Chamber

Quite a big topic for the newer deputies to get their teeth into, especially considering this was the first time a number of them would speak in the States Chamber.

Originally the agenda reflected the fact members were still settling into their new roles.

There were just a few minor proposals, a number of annual reports... and several laws needed approving. And it was one of these laws which brought the issue of student loans back in front of the Chamber.

The States were being asked to approve what is called enabling legislation - basically it is the legal framework to allow loans to be introduced, so not the actual detail of the proposals.

Deputy John Gollop placed a sursis to this, which is a delaying motion. He wanted to put a decision on hold either until November, or until the Education Department had time to bring a report on the cost implications of the loans.

But after a couple of hours of debate this was thrown out, so the States are pressing ahead with plans to introduce loans next year.

So what were the arguments for the move?

• It is a new House, there could be a new decision.

With fresh faces in the chamber, many of whom mentioned student loans in their manifestos, Deputy Gollop thought it was right to re-visit the previous decision.

• To educate the new deputies on the original proposals.

A couple of members spoke about how they'd like more information about the student loans proposals, so they could make a responsible decision on it.

• To allow the Education Department more time to look at other options.

Are student loans the only option? Is there more money available now? Some thought by delaying it would allow the Education Department to re-visit the issues as it compiles the report Deputy John Gollop was asking for. 

So what were the main arguments against the move?

• This is just enabling legislation.

By approving the laws all the deputies did was give the Education Department the flexibility to introduce loans. It does not mean it will definitely happen. By not approving the legislation the problem does go away - it just shelves it temporary.

• School leaving age.

Tied into this report were the laws to the change the current school leaving age from 15 to 16. By delaying the decision for student loans, this would be delayed as well.

• This wasn't the right time to talk about this.

Because of the issues mentioned above a number of deputies felt placing a sursis wasn't the right way to bring this issue back to the States. If it had been accepted it wouldn't have changed the States policy on student loans.

A number of Deputies, including those who are dead against student loans, felt a better way of going about it was with a requete which could overturn the previous decision by the States.

The Education Department doesn't have any obligation to come back to the States with a report on the proposals, unless they stray away from what the States originally decided, but they could decided to.

If that doesn't happen the likelihood is we will see a requete - several members have already indicated they'd support it. This will allow members to have a full debate on the issue, and possibly change the States decision to introduce loans. As a requete takes a while to draw up it's unlikely this will happen before September.

Also...

Aside from the student loans issue the rest of the agenda was fairly straight forward. A handful of laws were approved governing issues like fraud, sexual offences and tax on real property.

The function of Guernsey's financial Services Commission was clarified, so it purely regulates the industry, and doesn't have any role on promoting it. Deputies agreed to put two apartments at Admiral Park on the open market, bringing the total in the Vega development to eight.

This is allowed as the developers have ensure eight properties have been removed from the open market. New members were elected for a number of committees - including the one reviewing the Island's inheritance laws, and the group looking at Church funding. Deputies also briefly debated the cost of living locally, with members having to note the inflation figures for the first quarter of the year.

So it was a quick meeting - definitely a rarity that things are done and dusted within a day. But no doubt they'll be some more lengthy debates, and a few more maiden speeches, in the months to come.