Policy Council refuses to reveal FTP savings detail
MINISTERS have refused to release information that would explain the rationale behind some key FTP savings.
The Guernsey Press issued an information request after details were released about the advice given over the controversial transfer of visiting consultant fees from Health and Social Services' general revenue to Social Security's General Health Service Fund, dubbed the 'fake' saving.
However, the Policy Council has denied the newspaper's request for other similar information because it said the Public Accounts Committee planned to conduct a review of the FTP.
Ministers also said it breached a rule in the code which states that internal discussion and policy advice would not be released – something that could be overturned if it was felt disclosure was in the public interest.
'It felt that, given the papers were likely to be subject to scrutiny by the PAC and in order not to prejudice the conclusion of PAC, it would be premature to consider publication of the advice prior to the PAC concluding its review and publishing its findings,' it said.
No date or timescales have been announced for the PAC review.
Ministers said because of the review they decided to defer consideration of waiving the exemption.
A spokesman said ministers would reconsider publishing the information following the conclusion of and publication of the PAC review.
