GSD seeks Government clarification following Immigration and Home Affairs Office closure

The Government is asked to explain in greater detail what provoked the recent closure of the

Immigration and Home Affairs Office beyond simply that there was “significant flooding”.

It should be recalled that this is another Government office which has been moved into

privately owned premises and for which the taxpayer is paying an annual rental fee, as at

February of last year, of £217, 680 on a 9-year lease. This amount represents a monthly charge

to the Government of £18,140.

Damon Bossino said: “Quite apart from the obvious value for money considerations which

arise in the context of the housing of this particular department and which the GSD has also

been highlighting in relation to the old Dockyard building, legitimate questions are being

raised about how it is possible that the operation of such a Department – responsible for

registrations of births, deaths, residency, marriages etc., – should be compromised for a full

day after a mere 8/9 months since the move was effected to what were described as modern

offices.”

The GSD reminds the Government that the Chief Minister, in defending the policy of moving

Government offices to private properties referred to their maintenance to modern standards as

being “someone else’s responsibility”. The Government therefore needs to also state what

measures, if any, it will be taking against the landlord. The taxpayer deserves nothing less.