From Brendan McDonald.
IT may come as something of a surprise to many of your readers to discover that there is such a word as ‘gobbledegook’ in the dictionary.
From Brendan McDonald.
IT may come as something of a surprise to many of your readers to discover that there is such a word as ‘gobbledegook’ in the dictionary.

The definition is written as follows: ‘Pretentious or unintelligible language’.

The latest example of this whimsical formation of words comes from the Chief Minister himself (JEP, 31 May).

In his latest statement to the press, in answer to a request from the Jersey Evening Post for information about consultants’ fees and travel expenses for politicians and civil servants, he gave this classic reply (taken from the script of Yes Minister):

‘While it is possible to produce the information you have asked for it is not readily available due to resource and time constraints. The information you require would involve a considerable number of finance staff from each department to search through our extensive records.’ (Don’t they keep receipts for cash paid out?)

I wonder whether Senator Walker’s piece of political jargon will give all the tax dodgers food for thought?

It would come as no surprise for the Comptroller of Income Tax to receive replies to his demands with the following words:

‘Sorry, Mr Comptroller, but I cannot tell you what my earnings were for the last two years. That information is not readily available due to time constraints so you will just have to wait.’

I think the Chief Minister should be reminded that the huge amounts of money spent on consultants, experts and politicians’ travels is not his money.
114 Don Farm,
St Brelade.