LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: FRIDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2002
A meeting of Legislative Council took place on Friday, 22 November 2002 in the Court and Council chamber of the Town Hall. The meeting began at 1030 am and lasted for approximately 1and a quarter hours. Present were the Speaker, the Hon Mr. Tim Blake (TB), the Attorney General, Mr. David Lang QC (DL), the Commander British Forces, Commodore Richard Ibbotsen, Councillors, Luxton (SL), Miller (PM), Summers (MS), Edwards (NE), Edwards (RE), Birmingham (JB), Cheek (JC) and Cockwell (RC). The Financial Secretary was not present.
After prayers lead by Rev. Alistair McHaffie of Christ Church Cathedral, a letter from the Duke of York’s private secretary was read out by the Hon. Mr. Tim Blake.
"The Duke of York has asked me to thank you all for your involvement in his recent visit to the Falkland Islands. The warmth of the welcome by you and all members of the Legislative Council was much appreciated by His Royal Highness, as was the dinner, the Mandy Shepherd book, and, on the last morning, the album of photographs.
This visit was, of course, an unusual one in that combined both official engagements and the opportunity for His Royal Highness to meet and talk with others who have a common experience of the events in 1982.
His Royal Highness much enjoyed being able to return to the Islands and to see for himself the ever-more vibrant and emerging economy as well as a stable, sound and hospitable community.
The Duke has asked me to send his good wishes to you and all members of the Legislative Council."
The letter was signed by Miss Charlotte Manley OBE.
The first item of business was the conformation of the record of the meeting of Legislative Council held on the 25th of October 2002. Papers to be laid on the table by the Hon the Chief Executive, Dr. Michael Blanch are as follows:
Published in the Falkland Islands Gazette since the last Legislative Council, these papers are:
Law revision order No. 1 of 2000, Law Revision order No. 1 of 2001,
Disapplication of Enactment’s No. 1 Order 2002,
Administration of Estates Amendment Rules 2002
QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER:
Question No. 20/02 by the Hon. Mr. John Birmingham:
Mr. President, Honourable Members, will the Honourable Jan Cheek give a full, brief review of the difficulties the swimming pool has been facing in raising the temperature to the level that is normal in a public swimming pool?
Answer by Cllr. The Hon. Mrs. Jan Cheek:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I have received some detailed information on this. However, I think the real problem is a technical one which is not one that I can respond to properly. However, I will give the information I have.
The pool was closed to the public on the 13th of October. Work commenced on the pool on the 14th. The work was completed on the 19th. At this stage, the pool was full but not heating. The water temperature on the re-fill of the pool was 9C. They were unable to start heating the pool as there was a problem with the system. Plumbers were contacted to check the water system and hear exchanger. The pipes were cold and not receiving any hot water at all. Valves were blocked.
The problem with the hot water was found and corrected on the afternoon of the 22nd of October. Pool temperatures go up at approximately a degree every 36 hours. The pool covers are kept on to assist in this process. The pool was finally opened to the public at 25C on the 8th of November. The temperature as of the report I have been given from the 12th of November, was 25C.
The normal running of the pool temperature should be between 27C and 28C.
A number of factors, apart from technical ones, influenced the gain of the pool temperature. These are the outside temperatures, the ambient temperature in the building itself, the amount of glass in the pool area, which allows more heat in when we have good weather (and the reverse, obviously).
The significant loss of hot water from the power station is due to reduced electrical output over night time periods. And, as we are aware, in the past there has been a problem with heat loss on the way across the road where it could be clearly seen that snow was melting over the pipe.
I hope that satisfies the Honourable John Birmingham.
JB: I think the Honourable Jan Cheek for her answer and I am sorry to put her in any deep water there. I just wonder is she can tell me when we will be getting the report back from the Chilean engineers?
JC: I’m sorry. I don’t know but I will let the Honourable ember know as soon as I find out.
JB: Just one more if I may, Mr. President, did the Honourable Member know that the general temperature in public swimming pools in Britain is between 29 and 32? She may or may not be interested in that.
RE: Mr. Speaker, May I comment?
TB: Yes.
RE: I don’t know where the Honourable Member got his information but in all the brochures that we have been given, and here, the temperature for an adult swimming pool all over the place is 27C to 28C and for juveniles, it rises to 32C. Our splash pool should be at 32C and normally is a slightly higher temperature than the main pool because it is inside a glass window. And, in the summer months when the sun is strong, the water temperature does rise. We only have one heat exchanger so all the water goes through and heats all the water in the pool to 27C.
At Mount Pleasant they don’t have the same problem. Their water is heated to 27C to 28C but it is a wooden building and it is much better enclosed and insulated and the air temperature is kept at a steady 29C to 30C.
We do not have a problem with the water temperature in the swimming pool here. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
JB: I am standing with my tail firmly between my legs, Mr. President. All I can say is thank you very much and I’d love to see these brochures because as the Honourable Member is fully aware, brochures can say one thing and when they visit the site, the reality is somewhat different.
TB: Are there any more supplementary questions on that subject? Perhaps we should move on before we all get wet.
Question No. 21/02 by the Hon. Mrs. Jan Cheek:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, will the Hon. Mike Summers please give the estimated net contribution to the economy of tourism after the deduction of all known costs, promotions, subsidies and the costs of FIDC staff directly involved in Tourism?
Answer by the Hon. Mr. Mike Summers:
Mr. President, I am grateful to the Honourable Lady for the opportunity to inform the public about the progress of tourism over the years. And, I am grateful to the General Manager of FIDC for the provision of these figures.
It is inevitably difficult to estimate accurately the net benefit to the economy of a whole industry and a very diverse industry in which the large majority of economic benefit accrues to private sector companies. Many of these also have other sources of income and are unable to divide tourism income from local income. However, in 2001/02, we received 1533 land-based tourists, whose contribution, that is revenue less boarding costs, is estimated at £715.00 per person per week. This is mostly accounted for in further figures below. However, FIGAS income from this group is estimated at just short of £103,000.00. FIGAS show that in addition to these, there are 1198 Mount Pleasant and local tourist flights providing revenue of just short of £51,000.00. Given the loss-making operation of FIGAS, It would perhaps not be reasonable to include either of these figures as net income.
Cruise Ship visits during 2001/02 contributed just short of £218,000.00 in passenger tax plus just under £12,000.00 in embarkation tax. A further £41,600.00 was paid to Camp destinations.
Restaurants, Hotels and Lodges are estimated to make a net contribution of £807,000.00 per annum. Retail outlets make a net estimated contribution from tourism of £342,000.00. Taxis, Busses, Tour Guides and Travel Services contribute a further £278,000.00. Fuel and Provisions for Cruise Vessels contribute around £125,000.00. This gives a total estimated contribution to the economy of £1Million 816Thousand500.
On the cost side, there are direct and indirect FIDC/FITB staff costs of about £87.5Thousand. FITB promotional costs for 2002/3 are £112,838.00. LanChile subsidy for this year has totalled just under £3,000.00.
Capital allocations for the industry for the next year are projected to be £65,000.00, some of which may generate future income to FIDC. Some of the collection costs of passenger and embarkation costs cannot be individually identified and are therefore not separately quantified.
This gives total estimated public sector costs of £288,000.00.
The past and on-going support to some of the tourist lodges must also be seen as a sunk cost. Investment is several lodges has not been fully recovered, for example, Sea Lion and Darwin, or may not be realised in the future, for example, Pebble, Port Howard and Blue Beach. No lodge currently receives operating subsidy. However, these costs do have to be seen as start-up costs for the industry as a whole.
There are believed to be 40 companies involved in the tourism industry in the Falklands, employing some 200 people, either full or part-time.
There are a number of non-quantifiable benefits from the tourism industry. These include, critically, the raising of the profile of the Falklands, and the benefit that, that brings in supporting our quest for self-determination, the support to very small businesses in Stanley and in Camp and support to external communications via LanChile.
In conclusion, sir, the net contribution in financial terms from the tourism industry is, by any calculation, now well in excess of £1.5Million per annum.
JC: I thank the Honourable Member for his comprehensive reply and, of course, I realise it could only be an estimate, which is what I asked for. Thank you.
Question No. 22/02 by the Hon. Mrs. Jan Cheek:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, can the Chief Executive please give an assurance that, in the current financial climate, the Falkland Islands Government will not send people overseas to interview for new posts but use people already there, or going there for other essential purposes?
Answer by the Chief Executive, the Hon. Dr. Michael Blanch:
I thank the Honourable Lady for her question and I am indeed happy to remind heads of department and other selectors for posts that where they can, they must avoid unnecessary travel to London and elsewhere for interview. As the Honourable Member says, we may use as interviewees, staff who are already in the UK and the staff at FIGO, retained consultants as we do in New Zealand and in Australia and even telephone interviews. At least two existing heads of department and two senior FIDC posts, whom I have appointed, have been appointed successfully after interviews by telephone.
But there will be occasions – not many of them but there will be occasions – where it’s important for the interviewees to be seeing face to face, when we have senior chief officer posts, or the post carries the responsibility for the exercise of sensitive or highly professional judgement, which may be in certain legal and medical areas.
In these cases, heads of department will be told that they should discuss the matter with me before they commit to an overseas interview.
JC: I thank the Honourable Chief Executive for his reply. And, I am very pleased to hear the tone and substance of it, given that the recruitment costs have grown so hugely in recent years.
MOTIONS:
Motion No. 6/2002 by the Honourable the Chief Executive:
It is moved that this House resolves to approve the Retirement Pensions Prescribed Rates Amendment Regulations 2002.
The Chief Executive, the Hon. Dr. Michael Blanch rises to speak to the Motion:
Mr. Speaker, this resolution, if approved, would bring into effect from the first of January next year, an increase in retirement pension contributions in tot order of 6.25% which, for most people, will involve a rise of .50p a week in the employer’s contribution and .50p a week in the employees contribution, raising the total contribution from £16.00 to £17.00.
Members, Mr. Speaker, will be aware that we periodically review the actuarial balance of the pension fund. And, at its last review, which was some four years ago, we determined that the actuarial balance was around 80%. In other words, the pension fund at the levels of contributions then in place could meet 80% of their liabilities. And, for that purpose, provisions included in the budget of £450,000.00 a year, which, effectively brings the pension fund into balance and subsidises the retirement pension.
This increase, which is proposed in contributions, will sustain that position. It will keep us at 80%. But members will also be aware that there is a review underway of that fund, which, I hope will report early next year. And, that may tell us where we are now in terms of an actuarial balance.
The last point I wish to make, Mr. Speaker, before I sit down, is that the voluntary overseas rate will rise to £21.40. That is the cost of an unsubsidised contribution to the pension fund.
Mr. Speaker, I so move.
The Motion was seconded. All members were in favour of the motion, so it stands.
ORDERS OF THE DAY, BILLS:
The Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2002/03 No. 2 2002:
This bill required a second reading:
MB: Mr. Speaker, I move in the Supplementary Appropriation Bill for its second reading in the absence of my Honourable Colleague, the Financial Secretary. He would wish me to draw to your attention that the supplementary expenditure, which is being requested for voting totals £1Million 29,840. That is made up predominately of capital expenditure of £1Million and operating expenditure of £29,000.00. Of the Capital Expenditure, of £1Million, Mr. Speaker, provision is made of 3/4ths of a Million Pounds for the 7th phase of the East Stanley Housing Development. (East Stanley Phase 7). And, this would then be facilitated to go ahead subject to continuing discussion with the contractor.
Also provided in there, is the sum of £220,000.00 for additional works at the Abattoir, predominately for the installation of a fixed freezer from the 1st of October next year. It is on the basis of an assurance that members would support the provision of that fixed freezer installation that the European Union, earlier this week, approved the Abattoir for export of sheep meat to the EU.
Turning to the operating budget or £29,840.00, this request is predominately for the revised cost of the anniversary of events – the 20th anniversary of liberation of £20,000.00 and I am sure that Members will be sure that, that was money extremely well spent.
Mr. Speaker, I move the second reading of the Bill.
The Bill went through all stages successfully and passed.
The Retirement Pensions Amendment No. 2 Bill 2002:
This Bill was presented under a certificate of urgency. It has been Gazetted but not for the requisite time. It required a first reading. It went through all of its stages successfully and was passed.
The Taxes Amendment Bill 2002:
This Bill was presented under a certificate of urgency. It has been Gazetted but not for the requisite time.
MB: Mr. Speaker, this Bill makes changes to the 1997 Taxes Ordinance. It follows extensive public consultation a year ago and debate lead by the Tax Review Committee. Now, that Tax Review Committee is still in being and it will report and recommend further changes to legislature perhaps early next year. I do apologise that this bill has been presented under a certificate of urgency. I am afraid it was not Gazetted for the requisite time. However, it has been published and the proposals within it were substantially debated in public consultation a year ago.
It will be perhaps helpful if, for the benefit of people listening to the presentation of this Bill, if I could outline some of the major features of the Bill and what it will mean for them.
The Bill modernises our tax system. It clarifies areas where there may be ambiguity currently in interpretation and it encourages international co-operation. I will cover those three areas briefly.
On Modernisation, the biggest single proposition contained in the Bill is that of independent taxation for Married men and women. If agreed, this will be implemented in the forth-coming tax year – 2003/04. Previously, all declarations of taxable income, as Members are aware, was left to the husbands, which did not ensure the confidentiality of the wife’s income position. Subject to Members agreeing this proposition, a leaflet will be sent to all households and will be sent out this afternoon, which will set out the new system and will ask couples to decide how they wish to divide up the Married Persons’ Allowance. I have to say, however, that having decided, that is not bound in stone. Taxpayers can, of course, change their minds later.
Other modernisation provisions contained within the Bill include the taxation of non-money pay. There are rare occasions, of course, where people may be paid in gold bars but more realistically, where they may be paid by the gifts of vehicles or by the payment of school fees. It is my understanding that this provision would also include flights to and from the Falklands paid for by employers. But the Commissioner of Taxation intends to publish an extra statutory concession to exclude these flights from taxation.
Further modernisation proposals include the taxation of income from investments held overseas by contract officers. Through defining them to have the same domicile status as local people – as residents of the Falklands.
And also, there will be the closing of certain loopholes that currently apply to agency workers.
Clarification is included in the Bill on property letting as a business and on deductible expenses, which can be claimed by employees against tax.
Moving on to international co-operation, the Bill facilitates the exchange of information between our own revenue office and the taxation authorities abroad on accounts held overseas. On request, the Commissioner will require information from the Standard Chartered Bank on accounts held here in order to share information with those revenue authorities.
Finally, the Bill enables the submission of personal tax returns within longer time limits. And, later, it will facilitate the submission of tax returns by electronic means. If passed, returns should be submitted by the 30th of June, which allows 150 days for the submission rather than the current 60 days.
Mr. Speaker, this Bill is, of course, a more complicated piece of legislation but I think I’ve highlighted the main features of it. It does modernise our tax system and it is, I believe, the view of Honourable Members that it will be succeeded by a further bill later which will take the taxation system further on. But, for the moment, we think it right to bring to you these fairly modest but sensible proposals. I move the first reading of the Bill.
Councillor Summers seconded the Bill.
Cllr the Hon. Mr. Mike Summers’ remarks:
Mr. President, this is clearly an important Bill for the reasons that the Chief Executive has outlined. For the benefit of public information, I do think there is one other provision in this Bill that is important. And, it is that for confirming practice, that the construction and rental of houses will now be confirmed in law as being considered to be a business. That has significant benefits for those people wanting to provide rental houses to the community, in that they can treat the cost of building and expenses associated with running that as a business. Previously, it was not regarded as a business. This is intended to be another contribution to assisting the building and rental of houses to create a private rental stock.
The Bill went through all of its stages successfully and passed.
The Grass Fires Bill 2002
The Bill required a second reading. It passed all of the stages successfully and passed.
In Part two, Councillors speak to the Motion for Adjournment.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: FRIDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2002
(MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT SPEECHES)
CLLR. THE HON. MR. ROGER EDWARDS (RE):
Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak to the Motion for Adjournment.
Earlier on, I was rather abrupt in my answer to the Hon. John Birmingham regarding temperatures of the swimming pool. Yesterday, in one of our media sources (not FINN), Legislative Council was accused of being duller than letting paint dry. I hope that is not the cause of so few people being here today. Even our Curate has left before the end of Legislative Council.
The Abattoir: I am delighted to read in the local newspaper this morning that the abattoir has its licence and we may nor proceed with the slaughtering and export of animals to the European Union. It has taken quite some time. And, there has been a considerable amount of controversy in the past regarding cost, the site, etc. We now have the licence. I am absolutely delighted that we have the licence. And, it is now up to those who promised us that we have markets, to the farmers to provide the animals for those markets, etc. to make it work. It has taken a long time as I said previously but I am delighted that we now have the licence and lets wish it good luck for the future.
My second point, again, is on the front page of the local newspaper, regarding FIGAS flying over the holidays. It is a trial period for three years. But sometime back, it was that local newspaper and the Tourism Industry that accused FIGAS of not flying over these Christmas holiday periods especially that cost at least £30,000.00 a year. Well, now they are flying, at some considerable expense and it’s not just a matter of involving one aeroplane, a pilot, and an engineer who goes out and kicks the tyres in the morning. It involves a considerable amount of people. In fact, in total, to operate over these 9 days involves 24. So there is quite an additional cost to Government. But we are assured we will get it back. And, lets hope the tourists and those who are agents for the tourists etc. back it up and we see those additional tourists using FIGAS over those periods.
A very brief mention: we have been passing taxation bills this morning, but recently the tax office has sent around to farms a letter declaring the loan, the Interest free loan. I must admit, like many others who had been calling me up, that it was a devaluation of the Farm, rather than an interest free loan. And, many of the farmers concerned have found themselves having their land devalued from only £1.00 an acre at the start, by 25%. Their animals, which, I think, in normal cases, were valued at £3.00, has been reduced to something like £2.00. And, all the other fencing materials, etc. that they have been devaluing in accordance with tax laws, has left them with an enormous balancing sum, which, when they come to sell their farms, they will be liable to tax on. And, I trust that this will be one of those things that the Tax Advisory Committee will be looking into. I know our Tax Officer is here this morning and I know he is working on this and answering the queries that these farmers have had.
One thing that has already been mentioned this morning is the SAMA Visit. I saw for myself, the importance of the visit. One person, who had been severely wounded in fighting here in the Falklands, who had been out of work, marriage had broken down, etc. and, before he left, he was a changed person. And, I think it was a delight to see them here and what affect it had on them. And, I’ve heard nothing but praise from the various organisations. And, I would like to thank the 2002 committee, Government House, and Commander British Forces for all their help in arranging and seeing that the SAMA Visit went off so very well. I would also like to make the point that the SAMA visit also worked extremely well in reminding the people of the Falkland Islands what their services did for them 20 years ago. And, I hope they remember, which, they certainly did during the brief visit the SAMA pilgrimage made.
This is the last Legislative Council for the Governor, our 31st Governor, would have been sitting at, had you not, Mr. Speaker, taken over during the change in this past year. And, I will be saying good-bye to the Governor later on today, so I will not say anything here.
It is also the final Legislative Council of the Commander British Forces. I thank you, Richard, for all your help and assistance and balanced view that you have given, certainly in the year that I was on Executive Council and also in Legislative Council.
And, before I conclude, I would like to make a presentation to you (CBFFI) of a Legislative Council Tie. They are very unique, as only members who have sat in Legislative Council may wear them. You are now an honorary member of Legislative Council and there is your tie.
RI: Thank you very much. I shall wear it with pride.
CLLR. THE HON. MR. JOHN BIRMINGHAM:
Mr. President, Honourable Members, I don’t know whether I can follow that but I shall certainly try.
As has been said, it’s been a busy few weeks in the Islands here. And, the SAMA Visit has certainly gone down very well. And, I would like to also thank all those people, not least, the Commander British Forces in the Falklands for their contribution to making the visit such a success. With the Commander and his wife going, I would like to wish them well for the future. And, I am sure that you will be looking forward to going back to sea, sir. Yes. See what you can see. But also there was the Royal Visit, which, listening to the President reading out the letter from Prince Andrew’s PA, seems to have gone down well and all, which can only be good for the Falklands. I also have a local newspaper and, looking today, you would think that James Bond would be the Abattoir inspector because being licensed to kill is a very good headline. And, I think that there it deserves a round of applause – not necessarily here – for all those people involved in the many hours and many visits and many discussions that have been had with the EU. There are people in these Islands who have put a lot of work in the past to get this and I hope that we can press ahead and make it work. And, I am sure we can if everybody is like-minded.
The issue of the alternative budget, which we have been discussing this week and last week is quietly taking shape in people’s minds. And, I am sure that this Council will do as previous Councils have done, which is to do the very best they can for the Falkland Islands. And, if there are difficult decisions to be made, then we will make those difficult decisions and not shirk from them. Over the next few months, there will be more discussions. And, if, in March, things aren't looking very good, then we will be making difficult decisions. And, I would like people to appreciate that they will be made on the basis of what is, in the long-term, in the interests of the Falklands.
To anybody who drives down John Street at the moment and sees that magnificent addition to the Junior School, which has had so many letters of praise, and we just ran out of space on the wall to put it – to put them, will know that there have been two yellow lines painted either side of the one-way street, going down to the car park, Now, I don’t have a problem with yellow lines but what I would do is publicly ask the Police to have a think of maybe introducing restrictions that are time-based. The school hours, I can well understand there being parking restrictions there. But I do not see the reason for all of those parking restrictions outside of school hours. That is a lot of time in a given year. And, anybody who thinks otherwise should take a drive along John Street, either on the weekend or of an evening after 4:30.
Mr. President, I don’t think I am alone in voicing these concerns about certain contractors at Mount Pleasant Airport introducing non-Commonwealth citizens to work in the Military base. And, I hope, that in the near future, there will be some adjustment and some recognition of the security aspects of employing non-Commonwealth citizens.
People will be aware – fully aware – that Mr. Dennis Middleton, after his unfortunate accident, is overseas in hospital and hopefully coming back soon. Dennis has had a particularly bad accident and will need care and attention. There are others in the community who also need a certain amount of care and attention and also is not too dissimilar. Now, there has been discussion for a couple of years as for the provision of a disabled accommodation unit. One of the items that has stopped Council going ahead with this is the lack of a suitable site.. And, following discussions with my colleagues, they have agreed that I write to St. Mary’s – the congregation of St. Mary’s – and ask them if they would discuss the possibility of releasing that very fine paddock that is behind Malvina House. I can’t really think of a better site or a better reason for releasing that. I’d be very surprised if you could ever build another Church on it. – not with the parking restrictions we have around and about. So, I shall be writing to the new Monsignor in the near future.
Mr. President, the existing Governor leaves on Saturday and I would like to make a personal thanks – public thanks to both him and his wife, Lynda, for the assistance they’ve given, certainly to me, over the last three years. And, I wish them well and best wishes for the future.
Sir, I support the motion.
CLLR. THE HON. MR. PHILIP MILLER:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, in rising to support the Motion for Adjournment, may I make a couple of comments I feel deserve a mention?
Firstly, the recent SAMA Visit, which has already been mentioned. It went, as everybody knows, really well and, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those people who worked so hard to organise and make the visit the success that it was. It was a very emotional time for a great deal of people – veterans and local people included.
It also comes as a relief to everyone, at least, our farming community, that we now have an EU accreditation for the abattoir. We have been waiting a long time for this licence. Indeed, there were some folks around who were very sceptical that we would ever get it. Now we have it we must make the markets fully developed and make full use of what we have.
A very large thank-you is extended to all the people who worked tirelessly to overcome the hurdles that have been erected at each turn. To them, it must have seemed that we were trying to achieve the impossible. But patience, as they say, is a virtue. Well done.
I’d like to take this opportunity to say good-bye to His Excellency the Governor and Mrs. Lynda Lamont, also Commander British Forces, Richard Ibbotsen and his good lady, Marie. It’s been a privilege to know you all. And, I would like to wish you all the best for the future and hope to see you again some day.
Mr. Speaker, I support the motion.
CLLR. THE HON. MR. MIKE SUMMERS:
Mr. President, Honourable members, It would be invidious not to mention the SAMA Visit. And, I guess we all will. and, rightly so. I think what I marvelled about at the SAMA Visit, apart from the issues that colleagues have already talked about, is that there was effectively a community effort. And, I think it was all the better for that. It was the community that organised the very large majority of the money. It was the community that organised the accommodation. It was the community that put out the vehicles. And, in that, there was huge benefit and I think that the visitors appreciated that much, much more than perhaps if we had it if the Government put out loads of money and made it all available. I think that was a marvellous thing. And, I congratulate the whole community, therefore, for the effort that they put into the SAMA Visit and the success that they made it.
I, too, am delighted about the EU licence for the Abattoir; a project I first proposed as General Manager FIDC at around 1990. Sir, it’s taken a while but we are there at last. My particular thanks and public congratulation at this stage, I think, goes to the Senior Veterinary Officer, Steve Pointing, who has probably put in the large majority of the work that’s been mentioned already. He’s done a tremendous job, has been thoroughly professional about it and he’s created an atmosphere in his Department and with his colleagues and compatriots in the European Union that have given the European Union confidence that the Falkland Islands Government will properly regulate such a facility. And, I think, therefore, that enormous credit goes to him on a personal basis and, therefore, the team around him, who supported him through this time.
One rather unpleasant issue – not a local issue as yet but nevertheless unpleasant and one that threatens us all at one time or another – and the sinking of the tanker, Prestige, off the coast of Spain and Portugal recently just reminds us of the vulnerability that we have, to unsuitable tankers carrying crude oil around the world, very often licensed in ‘flags of convenience states,’ very often with poor inspection regimes. It’s an issue that I’ve taken up. Sir, in the few international fora that I have been able to go to and talk about at these things and I am sure and I hope that Honourable Colleagues will do the same. I think it would be a good thing to remind the British Government of the dangers to our shores from unsuitable oil tankers and the hazard of ‘Flags of Convenience States’ – the hazards that they present to innocent people whether its here in the Falklands or somebody in the Pacific or, indeed, those poor fishing people in the North of Spain, who are now going to suffer as a result of their failures. Sir, it’s an important issue for us. Next week, while I am at a board meeting of Stanley Services, I will be taking up the issue with the company on behalf of the Falklands to ensure that our sub-contractors do not use tankers that may pose this kind of threat. And, if we can’t get that assurance, we may consider some kind of actions of our own here to do the best that we can to protect our shores.
I, too, would like to thank Richard for his contribution to the Government of the Falklands and to Marie for her support for us all. And I also mention a fond good-bye to Governor Lamont, who came in at a difficult time but nevertheless survived with the support, I am sure, of his wife, Lynda, so thank-you to him for his contribution also to the Government of the Falklands.
Sir, I support the Motion.
CLLR. THE HON. MRS. JAN CHEEK:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I would like to support wholeheartedly the words Councillor Summers has said about our chief vet, Steve Pointing’s part in getting the Abattoir approved. People couldn’t possibly imagine, I don’t think, how much work that’s gone into that in recent months.
I would like to give my congratulations, while on the subject of the Abattoir, to all the officials, the lawyers and the Councillors who have legged this for some time now, through a lot of criticism, a lot of difficult times. Now, its down to the farmers who, I hope are already gearing up their production, to make it work.
I would like to support the words of Councillor Birmingham on the difficult decisions we may have to make in future months if either the vessels don’t licences or if the Squid don’t swim in the right direction next season. We could have difficult times for a period but I am sure by working together co-operatively, we can overcome them.
I would also like to support the words of Councillor Birmingham on his concerns about MOD Subcontractors. I have spoken in the past relating to the low pay that is being offered to individuals both Commonwealth and now non-Commonwealth citizens. I don’t think this reflects well on us as a community, or on the British Government. And, I hope this matter can be addressed.
I, too, was moved by the SAMA Visit and by speaking to a good number of the veterans and hearing their experiences while they were down here. I think we can reassure Councillor Edwards that there is no danger of people in these Islands forgetting what was done for us.
I would like to say a fond farewell to Commander British Forces and Marie and to thank the Commander and all who work with him for the continuing security that they give us all and all the work they are doing for the continuing security that they give us all. They go with our good wishes.
And, of course, I wish to add my farewell to Governor Lamont, his wife and family who supported him, as people said, through a very difficult start where there were clear misunderstandings by some people who imagined that people, still sitting around this table could have been party to something that, in any way adversely the sovereignty of these Islands. And, as Governor, he had to take the brunt of some of that unjustified criticism. He weathered it, we weathered it. There have been good times since then and I wish them both very well for the future.
I support the Motion.
CLLR. THE HON. MR. RICHARD COCKWELL:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the previous speaker just spoke at considerable length on issues which I wish to speak to so I won’t bore everybody by repeating what they say.
However, I can’t let this occasion pass without mentioning the Abattoir and the licence – the European licence. And, again, I have to agree that our Chief Veterinary Officer should be thanked and congratulated for the amount of very hard work and the midnight oil that he spent on this issue. There are other people as well but I think he has to be singled out as a person who spent huge amounts of time and was able to persuade the European Union that we do have the ability to run an abattoir and a regime which they can accept and I think it is something which they should be congratulated on and everybody else as well.
Regarding the SAMA Visit, I think everybody has said, it should be said, I must agree that I think the Community really did a wonderful (job). They came out and gave everything that they could do and I think their contribution is what really made the visit so successful. The veterans themselves were superb but so were the people who rallied around them where they wanted to go, made them welcome. And, I think the whole community should be congratulated on the whole conduct of that visit.
I have to agree that the sinking of the tanker off the north coast of Spain brought to me the reality of the risks that we could be under. And, I think we have to bring to the attention of the world the dangers that could be inflicted on people who have nothing to do with the fuel which is being carried past their shores. We are aware of, I think it was two years ago, a tanker came into our waters and we had no means to prevent it from coming in. It came in and we actually welcomed it on humanitarian grounds but it could have been a tanker full of crude oil, leaking and it could have spread oil all over our pristine beaches and drastically damaged our wildlife and our fishing industry. And, so I think we do need to press in any occasion we can that this sort of thing has to cease.
I, too, would like to wish a fond farewell to the Commander British Forces and his wife. It’s been a pleasure working with you. It’s been great. In your time here, I think we achieved a lot. And, also, my farewells to the Governor and his wife. Lots of people have said things about when he came, the problems, I agree with everything they said but I wish him a farewell and we will be interested to see where he goes to because I don’t think he knows himself at the moment.
I wish to support the motion.
CLLR. THE HON. MRS. NORMA EDWARDS:
Mr. Speaker, in rising to support the Motion for Adjournment, I won’t bore the vast audience too much with my words, so they won’t have to suffer the alternative to watching paint dry for too long. What would focus their minds, though is that if they concentrate on Councillor Birmingham’s tie, that would keep anybody awake today.
My colleagues have said a great deal about the SAMA visit and I will add my thoughts to it as well. I think it did us all good, not just the veterans. It did the local community good to remind them where their allegiance lays and I am sure they won’t forget it. But it doesn’t hurt to be reminded now and then. And, it was a delight to meet the veterans again. I had not met all of them before but quite a considerable number so it was very nice to see them here in the Islands. And, I hope that in due course, they will repeat the whole thing in future years. Not every year but on occasions.
I was also pleased that to welcome the Duke of York again. And, I think we have to remember that all the visits we’ve had from royalty – we have had more than our fair share in the Islands – probably stem from his influence, having visited here before and said good things about us to the family at home. So, I think we should be grateful to him for that, too.
I was pleased to hear the answer about the tourism industry and the approximation of the money we are receiving from tourism. Now, it was only a couple of Councils ago that I was smacked smartly on the wrists, daring to suggest that if FIGAS flew at Christmas, it would cost a considerable amount of money. And, therefore, I felt that Tourism could put something towards it. Well, I don’t think they could this year but if this is the amount of money that’s coming into tourism, and, may I remind you, Chief Executive, that it is costing quite a considerable amount of money, and maybe in future years when we see how well it works, Tourism could contribute towards this extra activity over the Christmas period. Because it isn’t the local community that has asked for these extra flying hours. It is the tourism industry. And, fine, you know, but if there’s money coming in, then I think some of it should go towards supporting that particular activity, especially for the tourist industry (those flights).
I would also like to say good-bye to CBFFI and his good wife, Marie. It’s been a pleasure having you down here, Sir. And, we wish you well for the future, of course. I shall be sorry to see the Navy go because I am prejudiced in that fashion. I prefer the Navy in charge, not that I disagree with any of the others but I just prefer it when it’s the Navy at the top.
RI: I can’t disagree with that.
NE: Of course not. And, also to Governor Lamont and his wife, Lynda. I wish them well for the future. Wherever he goes, I hope he enjoys it and remembers us down here at times when he’s feeling a bit harassed because I don’t think he had too bad a time from anybody, when he came or in due course since then.
Thank you Mr. Speaker. (I support the Motion.)
CLLR. THE HON. MR. STEPHEN LUXTON:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the last couple of weeks has been very busy for many people with the visit of SAMA and everything that, that entailed. I was very pleased with the way it went.. Somebody remarked it’s like 5 million people descending on England all at once. It was really reassuring to see that so many people pulled together to make it a memorable visit for our liberators. At times I worry about the events of ’82 and the memories are becoming a bit distant but once in a while, something like this takes place just to prove that it’s very much not the case and people do remember. The fact that they may not necessarily talk about it every day doesn’t mean that people are forgetting. Personally, I hope that such visits in the future will become a fairly regular occurrence. It will be easier to accommodate more frequent visits with smaller numbers. But however many come and whenever they choose to do so, they will always be welcome.
I usually say a word about roads at some point. This month I would just like to say – a great job on the bit outside the Globe. It’s enriched my journey to work quite considerably.
I think I ought to have a gentle dig at one of my portfolios. People may remember the ho-ha two years ago surrounding the deployment of two new Police Discoveries which were kited out with highly visible markings. In the local newspaper of November the 24th 2000, a Police spokesman was quoted as saying, "By making them highly visible, anybody that thinks we are hiding around corners will be wrong." I was therefore, a little surprised to find the other afternoon that not only was the highly visible Discovery hidden around a corner, but the two Officers carrying out routine speed checks were hiding – highly visible yellow coats and all – behind a stone wall, pointing the speed gun over the wall at on-coming traffic. Naturally, as I was only doing 25MPH, this was not a matter of great personal concern. But I do feel it’s just a little bit naughty. There we have the sound of freedom, of course. (During this part of Cllr Luxton’s speech there was a Tornado aircraft , flying overhead that nearly drowned out what he was saying.)
On a more positive note, it is good to see a far greater number of foot patrols out and about during the last few months, than we have seen in a great while and I hope this trend continues.
I’ll just finish by bidding farewell to the Governor and his wife and the Commander British Forces and his wife, both of whom leave the Islands in the near future. I would like to thank them for their contribution over their time here and wish them well in their future postings and we look forward to welcoming new arrivals in due course.
Sir, I support the motion.
COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES COMMODORE RICHARD IBBOTSEN:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, unlike my Air Force colleagues, I come from a silent service. And, I subscribe to the view that the Military should be seen and not heard. So, I will keep this short, Sir.
Thank you very much for your kind words. It has been a real privilege for me to be here this 20th commemoration year. And, particularly, thinking back to the present when the Armed Forces were given the Freedom of the Falkland Islands. As many of the Councillors have said this morning, I think it has been inevitably a reflective year. And, perhaps that’s a good thing. It is, however, as we look to so many changes, and the year coming to an end, most appropriate that I should consider the future, particularly for the Military here and the challenges that are associated with that.
I think, whatever the future holds, I am hard over that it should be best conducted against the backdrop of a strong defence. But there are issues involved with that. And, given the scale of our continuing footprint here, it is a fact that the Military presence is intrusive. Currently, your tolerance and acceptance of that. This is outstanding and I can’t think of anywhere else in the world that it happens. But I am mindful that many of the Military serving under my command here now were not even born in 1982. And, very soon, no doubt, Legislative Council will comprise people who didn’t live through the Conflict.
The point I am trying to make is that – picking up on an issue that’s been raised by some of the Councillors – we mustn’t become complacent regarding the future Military presence here if it’s to enjoy the success of the last 20 years.
I thank you for that success, your tolerance and your support and I would like to add publicly my thanks to His Excellency the Governor and Lynda for their rock-solid support of the Military here.
Sir, we, your Armed Forces, are proud to contribute to the Falkland Islands. We wish you a prosperous and peaceful future and I look forward to returning.
Thank you, Sir.
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE THE HON. DR. MICHAEL BLANCH:
I have the interesting thing to do at the end and exercise the right to reply and like the Commander, I also believe that senior officers shouldn’t say very much. But I wouldn’t be remiss entirely if I didn’t also add now on behalf of the Civil Service, our best wishes to Richard and to Marie. It’s been a joy to have worked with Richard over the last year and to have enjoyed his and Marie’s company. Congratulations at his new – one of the best appointments, I think – in the Navy and in the Nato Forces. And, he goes, very much, with the best wishes from me and my colleagues in the Civil Service.
It would also be, of course, entirely remiss, if, on behalf of the Civil Service, I didn’t say good-bye to our Governor. And, I think I’d like to say good-bye to him and to Lynda and to thank him for a number of things. To thank him for his leadership, which he exercises in a very quiet but very definite way, for his sage advice and for his inspiration. And, also for his and Lynda’s hospitality which has been quite considerable. I think we all recognise my colleagues in the Civil Service, Chief Officers and all of us, the enormous contribution that they have both made within the community. And, we will be sad to see them go.
THE SPEAKER, THE HON. MR. TIM BLAKE:
Honourable Members, I hope you will allow me to wish the Commander British Forces and his good wife and the Governor and his good wife my good wishes. It isn’t usual that the Speaker speaks but it would appear that the paint is dry so Council stands adjourned Sine Die.
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