Standing Orders: publication of Register of Members’ Interests (P.69/2011) – comments.

Published on: 25 May 2011

Presented by: Privileges and Procedures Committee

Debate date: 9 June 2011

Reference: P.69/2011(Com)

This content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments. Please see the PDF for the official version of the document.

STATES OF JERSEY

STANDING ORDERS: PUBLICATION OF REGISTER OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS (P.69/2011) – COMMENTS

Presented to the States on 25th May 2011 by the Privileges and Procedures Committee

STATES GREFFE

2011 Price code: A P.69 Com.

COMMENTS

The register of members' interests is maintained by the Greffier of the States in accordance with Standing Order 154. The register is readily accessible to members of the public, who can inspect it during office hours at the Information Centre in Morier House, Halkett Place, St. Helier .

The information contained within the register is likely to be of greatest interest to members' constituents, and of less interest world-wide; however, the Committee recognises that the United Kingdom House of Commons; the Scott ish Parliament; the National Assembly for Wales; Eire and the States of Guernsey all publish registers of members' interests online (see attached Appendix).

The Committee has received correspondence from a States member who is concerned that the online publication of the register of members' interests could have security implications for States members and their families. There are also concerns that the published information could be misused and that this might discourage people from standing for office. The view has been expressed that a risk management report and a review of the data protection implications should be undertaken prior to a decision being taken to publish the register online.

The Committee would not recommend the online publication of the current register of members' interests. Should the States adopt this proposition, the Committee considers that the move to online publication should only be made once the new Assembly has been sworn in, allowing those standing for election to take an informed decision in the full knowledge that the details they will be required to provide as elected members will be published on the Internet.

APPENDIX

Page - 3

P.69/2011 Com.