Deputy Geoff Southern was refused permission by the Bailiff to ask a supplementary question of the Employment and Social Security Committee president over short-term illness allowance.
He had put an oral question over changes to the allowance system to Senator Paul Routier, but was refused permission to follow it up beyond one supplementary.
The Bailiff told him that he should have put detailed questions in a written form, rather than during a States sitting.
‘That is a complete abuse of Question Time, I find that very unsatisfactory,’ said Deputy Southern, who accused Senator Routier of waffling and not answering his direct question.
The exchange took place shortly before the lodging of Senator Ted Vibert’s amendments to the States of Jersey Law which, if approved, would see the Bailiff and other non-elected States Members removed from the Chamber.
Senator Vibert announced his proposals yesterday, saying he felt that unelected individuals had too much influence in the Chamber.
But he did not specifically attack Sir Philip as the current incumbent.
