Urgent Debates Declined — Public Service—Update on Cap and Job Cuts

I have received a letter, which may be of interest to members, from the Hon Ruth Dyson, seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the release by the Minister of State Services, the Hon Tony Ryall, of the second 6-monthly update on the Government’s cap of core Government administration, and the associated announcement of the cut of 135 jobs at the Ministry of Health.

As has been ruled on many occasions, a continuing issue cannot give rise to a debate under Standing Order 380. The Government’s cap on core Government administration has been in place since 2009 and the Minister’s announcement is his second 6-monthly update. To be a particular case of recent occurrence, there must be either a new situation of importance or a new development in an existing situation of sufficient importance in itself to warrant a debate being held. That is Speaker’s ruling 174/4. As there is no new development that is of sufficient importance in itself to warrant immediately putting aside the business of the House, this application for urgent debate is declined.