Deputy ready for battle to reveal cost of reports

Deputy ready for battle to reveal cost of reports

Deputy Peter Troy is to press ahead with proposals for a list to be compiled of consultants’ reports commissioned by departments, despite the Privileges and Procedures Committee asking him to drop the move for now.And Senator Stuart Syvret has condemned Privileges for not giving support to a proposition that will end the ‘massive hindrance’ politicians face when trying to find out what departments are doing.Deputy Troy insists that he wants the matter debated in the States on 3 February and he has also tabled a question for next Tuesday asking how many consultants’ reports costing more than £2,000 were commissioned during 2003.The Privileges Committee say they would rather talk to Deputy Troy about his proposals with a view to including his ideas within a new draft Freedom of Information Law currently being prepared.But Senator Syvret has labelled that response as completely inadequate.

‘Privileges is a committee that is supposed to side with backbenchers.

However, it refuses to support what is an essential mechanism in giving both politicians and members of the public access to information.’Consultants’ reports are paid for from public funds and therefore the public have a right to know what their money is being spent on.

It’s ridiculous Privileges recommend withdrawing the proposals rather than giving them broad support and working out details later,’ said the Senator.

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