Extra States meeting possible depending on Brexit outcome

He was replying to a question from Deputy John Gollop, who wanted to know if members could be recalled if necessary to debate an emergency Billet once there was more certainty over Brexit.

Deputy St Pier said it was felt that it would be appropriate for the Assembly to have the opportunity to discuss the issues that arise from the withdrawal agreement and any impact they might have on the island’s constitutional relationship with the UK and EU.

He had said already that P&R intended, should an agreement be reached by the UK, to put the withdrawal agreement and political declaration to the States for debate so that members could express their views and understand the arrangements.

It would be hoped that this could be discussed before the current Brexit date of 31 October, with an additional meeting should the president of the States agree.

In his general update on Brexit, Deputy St Pier referred to the ‘unprecedented’ political situation in the UK.

‘It is turbulent, uncertain and its institutions are clearly highly stressed,’ he said.

He referred to the letter he had received from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in which the PM again gave assurances that the government would take Guernsey’s interests into account during the Brexit process.

He later said that no-deal preparations had been re-established and plans had been reviewed and the Brexit Transition Group was meeting every other week, while the Civil Contingencies Authority was providing oversight on the no-deal scenario.

Discussions were continuing with the UK Government to extend its membership of the World Trade Organization to the Bailiwick and Deputy St Pier said that the Secretary of State for International Trade had agreed to this and meetings were being held to make sure that this extension was in place on exit day.

‘To date this is a complex and technical undertaking but I am confident that we are nearly there,’ he said.

‘We continue to work closely with the UK Department of Health and Social Care, and have received political assurances, including this week, that we are included in their multi-layered plans to ensure that health services have uninterrupted access to the medical products needed,’ said Deputy St Pier.

Deputy Lester Queripel said that he had heard that Jersey was stockpiling medical supplies and wondered why were weren’t doing the same.

Deputy St Pier said he did not believe this to be the case and his understanding that it was, like Guernsey, working with the UK’s Department of Health to ensure there were clear protocols in place around the supply line.