Visit of Isle of Man Select Committee

The Hon. Steve Rodan, Speaker of the House of Keys the Isle of Man’s elected parliamentary chamber, was in Jersey last week leading a Select Committee which is reviewing the operation and adequacy of Immigration legislation covering overseas nationals including that relating to work permit controls.  Mr Rodan was accompanied by Mrs Clare Christian, member of the Legislative Council, Mr Juan Watterson, member of the House of Keys, and Mr Les Crellin, Clerk to the Select Committees of Tynwald. 
To give a full picture of the Island’s current and planned controls on Jersey’s population, Deputy Ian Gorst, Assistant Minister, Treasury and Resources, and Mr Paul Bradbury, Director, Population Office, gave a presentation to the Select Committee about the Regulation of Undertaking’s Law and Housing Law, and the future migration controls planned. 
The roles of the Lieutenant-Governor and of the Home Affairs Minister in respect of Immigration legislation were discussed at a session headed by Deputy Andrew Lewis, Assistant Minister Home Affairs.  He was accompanied by officers of the Customs & Immigration Service: Mr Mike Robinson, Head of Service, Mr John Noel, Director of Immigration & Nationality, and Mr Richard Coenen, Casework Officer.  The Select Committee was very interested in how UK Immigration legislation is extended to the island including the Immigration Rules, the Jersey equivalent of which are the Directions of the Lieutenant-Governor.  An explanation was given of the operation of Jersey’s work permit system for overseas nationals.
The opportunity was also taken to show the guests the States Chamber.
Deputy Lewis stated:
“The Customs & Immigration Service has worked closely with its Isle Of Man counterparts for a number of years.  The procurement last year of the current biometric passport system was a particularly good example of how the Crown Dependencies can work together to their mutual benefit.  There is much value to be gained from small democracies like ours exchanging ideas on matters such as population and immigration controls.  The visit of the Isle of Man Select Committee was most welcome.”
The Hon Steve Rodan said:
“My colleagues and I found our short visit to Jersey of immense value. Our discussions highlighted areas of common interest and similar challenges facing our islands in respect of immigration, and enabled an exchange of views on how we administer a measure of control whilst being conscious of enabling business and services to function effectively.  I am most grateful to Deputy Ian Gorst and Deputy Andrew Lewis, and their officers, for their time and their courtesy during our visit”. 
Contact for information about the meeting Deputy Andrew Lewis, a.lewis@gov.je.  For information about work permits and operational matters contact John Noel Tel: 448000 jt.noel@gov.je.

  

Photograph outside Maritime House: From the left – Deputy Andrew Lewis, Mr Les Crellin, Mr Mike Robinson, Mr Steve Rodan, Mr Juan Watterson, Mrs  Clare Christian, Mr Richard Coenen, Mr John Noel.


Page Last Updated: 27/11/2007