Questions without notice to ministers
Ministers have no warning of the questions that might be asked, so they must prepare well to ensure that they are briefed about the current issues that could be raised by members.
On the first day of every scheduled States meeting 45 minutes is allocated for questions without notice to ministers. This 45-minute period is in addition to the 2-hour 20-minute period allowed for the answering of oral questions that have been submitted in advance.
The 45-minute period is divided into 3 separate 15-minute periods. At each States meeting 2 ministers answer questions without notice for 15 minutes each, followed by the Chief Minister.
How does the question rota work?
The 11 other ministers answer according to a rota drawn up by the Greffier of the States several months in advance.
The Chief Minister is required to answer questions without notice for 15 minutes at every States meeting. The other 11 ministers answer in accordance with the rota and each minister is required to answer questions in this way some 2 or 3 times a year.
What can the questions relate to?
During the 15-minute sessions the ministers can be asked questions about any matter at all that relates to their ministerial responsibilities.
The Chief Minister, as leader of the Council of Ministers, can be asked questions about any matter relating to the Government of Jersey.
Ministers have no warning in advance of the questions that might be asked and they must therefore prepare well to ensure that they are briefed about the current issues that could be raised by members.
Rota of Questions Without Notice 2024
1st Session 2024 | | | |
6th February | Health and Social Services | Housing and Communities | Chief Minister |
27th February | Justice and Home Affairs | International Development | Chief Minister |
19th March | Infrastructure | Social Security | Chief Minister |
16th April | Sustainable Economic Development | Treasury and Resources | Chief Minister |
21st May | Children and Families | Education and Lifelong Learning | Chief Minister |
11th June | Environment | External Relations | Chief Minister |
25th June | Health and Social Services | Housing | |
16th July | Infrastructure | International Development | Chief Minister |
2nd Session 2024 | | | |
10th September | Justice and Home Affairs | Social Security | Chief Minister |
1st October | Sustainable Economic Development | Treasury and Resources | Chief Minister |
22nd October | Children and Families | Education and Lifelong Learning | Chief Minister |
12th November | Environment | External Relations | Chief Minister |
26th November | International Development | Housing | Chief Minister |
10th December | Infrastructure | Health and Social Services | Chief Minister
|