CHIEF Minister Mike Torode has suggested that the island could bypass its formal link to the UK Government to speed through new laws. The channel of communication is through the Department of Constitutional Affairs, headed by the Lord Chancellor. But Deputy Torode said that it was holding back approval of new local laws. He would rather deal direct with privy councillors.
‘I would be quite happy to take the DCA out of the loop. As far as I am concerned, the DCA seems to me to be grossly constipated and trying to move things through it at a reasonable pace is very frustrating.’
Despite formal links, there is occasional direct contact between ministers and more regularly between departments and civil servants.
‘If we cannot improve the flow between us and the Privy Council, then I think it would be useful to do away with the DCA.’
The States will discuss the island’s constitutional position at a closed meeting on Friday. The issue, including the idea of independence, has been a big one this year.
‘The matter that engages most people at the moment is our constitutional reform and international status.
”Advocate’ Roger Perrot and others believe we have to do something to strengthen our constitution and I do not disagree with that. I hope we can take a working group out of the meeting on Friday - not just political - so that we can really thoroughly explore whether we are going the right way in the way we are at the moment.’
The Privy Council must approve new local legislation and Deputy Torode said going through the DCA slowed the process dramatically.
‘I would like to see the introduction of common sense.’
Deputy Torode was not advocating the removal of all contact with the DCA.
‘Yes, there would be occasions where it would be beneficial to go through the DCA, so I’m not saying we should remove that link.
‘But I think there are instances when we could go straight to ministers in the UK, for example. I have to admit that I went straight to a minister in the Home Office when I was Home Department minister. I wanted to discuss an issue and I was so fed up with the amount of time it took to go through the DCA.
‘But I am not a lawyer and so will be guided by the Law Officers on the matter.’
He added that the public needed to be involved in any discussions about the constitution.
‘I think the whole thing comes into our greater recognition of our international profile. I would like to see some form of public consultation meeting when States members have had the opportunity to have some of the ideas regarding constitution explained to them.’
Article posted on 18th April, 2007 - 12.00am
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