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• Government and Administration
• Constitution
• Relationship with the Crown
• Lieutenant Governor
• Bailiff
• Parliament

Parliament

Guernsey's parliament is called 'The States of Deliberation' and is made up of forty five democratically elected Guernsey Deputies and two Alderney representatives. There are no political parties in Guernsey. The assembly has the power to raise taxation, determine expenditure and pass legislation. The States meet at least once every month, usually on the last Wednesday of the month (with the exception of August and during elections).

The States sits in the Royal Court Chamber and meetings are open to the public or broadcast on BBC Guernsey on 1116 Medium Wave. The order papers are referred to as Billet d'État and resolutions and voting records relevant to each one, are available to view at the States Meetings & Billets  page.

The Bailiff, by virtue of the Reform (Guernsey) Law 1948, is the ex -officio presiding officer of the States of Deliberation, serving as an apolitical moderator of debate, ruling on questions of procedure and maintaining order. HM Procureur (Attorney General) and HM Comptroller (Solicitor General) are also members of the States to provide legal advice and advice in constitutional matters. The Lieutenant Governor usually attends meetings of the States of Deliberation and only addresses the Assembly when leaving office. These members of the States, along with the Lieutenant Governor, do not have the right to vote.

In addition to being a legislative assembly the States of Deliberation is the over arching executive. The Chief Minister is chosen from the elected Deputies. The roles of Minister and Board Member (of which there are four) for each of the ten Government Departments, are also allocated to selected Deputies. The Chief Minister and the Minister from each Department (one of which is allocated the role of Deputy Chief Minister) constitute the Policy Council.

There are also four 'Parliamentary Committees' (constituted of a Chairman and additional sitting Members of the States), responsible for reviewing various aspects of the government and departmental activities:

· Legislation Select: Review and revise Projets de Loi and Ordinances presented by the Law Officers

· Public Accounts: Ensure a proper scrutiny of the financial affairs of the States

· Scrutiny: Scrutinise and challenge the effectiveness of States policies and service delivery

· States Assembly and Constitutional: Review procedures in connection with the Island's Constitution and Government

In addition, there are three 'Government and Special Committees', as follows:

· Public Sector Remuneration: Negotiate on behalf of the States as an employer, in respect of the remuneration and conditions of service of all staff employed by the States.

· Inheritance Law Review: Review all aspects of the Island's laws of inheritance

· Parochial Ecclesiastical Rates Review: Investigate the operation of the parochial ecclesiastical rates legislation, with particular reference to the repair and maintenance of parochial church property and alternative means of providing or securing the finance.

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