Estonian flight back in spotlight

Monday 12 December 2016

Jersey's politicians will discuss the decision to charter a private plane to make sure the Estonian ambassador wouldn't miss his meetings, after his scheduled flight back from Jersey was cancelled, when they meet today for the last assembly of the year.

The decision, by Senator Philip Ozouf, cost a little over £4,000, but so far it's not been confirmed exactly how much will be paid for by the taxpayer.

On Friday, a Government of Jersey spokesperson said: “The Government of Jersey paid the initial £4,050 cost of the airline charter. The charter company was able to sell a seat on the return leg of the journey to a private client for £1,500, and arrangements are being made for this sum to be credited against the original cost of the flight from the charter company. Statutory compensation and flight refund costs will also be recovered from the cancelled scheduled flight.  If further opportunities to offset the original cost of the flight arise, these will also be credited against the £4,050.”

In the States today, Deputy Sam Mezec wants to know how many times since 2011 the States have chartered a private aircraft for civil servants, politicians and political guests. He also wants to find out when the flights were, who was on them, and how much they cost. 

The main item of business this week is Budget 2017, which proposes inflation-busting increases on fuel, alcohol and tobacco. But first, seven written questions and 16 oral questions have been tabled, and the Chief Minister and Education Minister will be the two members in the hot seat with both of them facing 15 minutes of questions without notice.

Under oral questions Senator Sarah Ferguson and Deputies Mike Higgins and Geoff Southern all want to find out more about the ‘Alwitry case’. He’s the doctor whom the States Complaints Board says was unfairly sacked from the hospital before he even took up the post, and who’s threatening to take legal action against the States Employment Board.

Deputy Judy Martin wants the Health Minister to tell us exactly how much the new hospital is going to cost. It’s estimated it’s going to set the Island back £466m, but much of the money is being borrowed over a 40 year period. She wants to know what the likely interest is going to be.