Calls For Greater Fiscal Policy Disclosure Rejected In Guernsey

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

12 July 2002

Despite calls from several deputies for greater transparency with regard to fiscal policy reform, the Guernsey States authorities agreed this week to allow the jurisdiction's fiscal policy group to continue its work 'behind the scenes'.

Following the revelation by Deputy Roy Bisson that the working group has not met since March 2001, Deputy John Gollop tabled an amendment requiring the Advisory and Finance Committee to report back to the States authorities on the progress made by the policy group in addressing the tax challenges currently faced by the jurisdiction.

However, the Guernsey Press and Star reported on Thursday that the amendment was rejected, with the proviso that Guernsey must not give too much away with regard to forthcoming tax policies, especially in the current atmosphere, when some EU countries are 'almost at war' over tax issues.

Responding to calls for increased scrutiny of the fiscal policy group, A&F Vice-President, John Langlois revealed that although the principal body has not met for some time, sub-groups of the main committee have been examining the issues. According to the Guernsey Press report, he then urged the House to leave it to them and the Advisory and Finance Committee to sort out.

'We are monitoring the situation day to day,' he explained, adding that: 'We have to get our taxation right, and not have premature reports.'

The President of the Advisory and Finance Committee, Laurie Morgan echoed the words of his second-in-command, dubbing Deputy Gollop's amendment 'unnecessary'. In the current fast-changing international environment, any report on policy could soon be out of date, he explained.

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