THE States debate to stop the £106m incinerator being built got off to a bizarre start yesterday when the proposer missed the beginning of the sitting and then kept Members waiting while he went to look through his notes.
The Deputy Bailiff, Michael Birt, sternly rebuked Deputy Daniel Wimberley, whose introductory speech lasted almost three hours, for not turning up to put scheduled questions to ministers and not being ready to start the debate when it was listed.
Mr Birt told the newly-elected Deputy for St Mary: ‘It is quite unacceptable, the way you have conducted yourself this morning. ‘First of all you do not bother to turn up for questions you have asked. And you now are not ready to start this debate when it is listed.
‘This is not a school society; it is not a debating club. It is a parliamentary assembly, and Members must conduct themselves properly. They are being paid, apart from anything else, a considerable sum to do so.’
Deputy Wimberley apologised ‘unreservedly’ for the delay when his speech resumed after the lunch adjournment. The debate continues.
• Picture: Deputy Wimberley heads for the States to make his bid to stop the incinerator being built. Picture by Richard Wainwright (00631301)
