End of the old regime

Friday 2nd December 2005, 12:00AM GMT.

THE Bailiff marked the end of 481 years of the committee system in the States yesterday with a tribute to departing States Members.

Of the 53 Members, 14 will not return when the new House reconvenes to select Jersey’s first Chief Minister on Monday morning.

When the States return to action, they will also be without the two longest-serving elected Members, Senators Jean Le Maistre and Dick Shenton.

The Bailiff Sir Philip Bailhache – the only Member to have served a longer term than the Senators, having sat continuously since he was elected Deputy for Grouville and then as a Crown Officer – thanked Members for their contributions to the government of the Island.

And Sir Philip said the end of the sitting marked the end of the committee system that dated back to 1524.

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