States Members agreed to give subpoena powers to the four scrutiny panels and the Public Accounts Committee after a brief debate yesterday.
Until now, only States Members could be compelled to give evidence, and then only through their code of conduct.
The right of the panels to demand attendance from witnesses and production of documents has now been enshrined in law.
The States also agreed that scrutiny proceedings should be covered by parliamentary privilege so that witnesses cannot incriminate themselves by giving evidence.
The Draft States of Jersey (Powers, Privileges and Immunities) (Scrutiny panels, PAC and PPC) (Jersey) Regulations 2006 were proposed by the chairman of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, St Clement Constable Derek Gray, who said that by giving more power to scrutiny members in this way, panels and committees would be able to operate more effectively.
He said: ‘The States have already agreed that we should have these powers, and it is a common process around the world.
Scrutiny is important for those who are not in executive posts, and it is important that they have the power to call for any information they feel is important.
This will enable the panels to work effectively.’
