LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: FRIDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2003
Commentary by J. Brock (FINN)
A meeting of Legislative Council took place in the Court and Council Chamber of the Town Hall in Stanley, Falkland Islands at 1030 on Friday, 21 November 2003. The tone of Council today was tempered by yesterday's news of British deaths in Turkey. This meeting was short due to there only a few items of business to be carried out.
PRAYERS by the Rev. Paul Sweeting of Christ Church Cathedral:
Almighty God: Heal and help those who are injured, give peace to the dying, comfort and support the bereaved and to all who are working to bring relief and restore order. Give strength and resilience to do their work well.
Following prayers, one minute’s silence commemorated the British Counsel and his assistant who died in Turkey on the 20th of November 2003.
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE:
Councillor Ian Hansen was then sworn into office, replacing former Councillor Philip Miller.
ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL:
The results of the election are as follows:
Stanley: Cllr. the Hon Mr. Stephen Luxton
Camp: Cllr. the Hon. Mrs Norma Edwards
Both: Cllr. the Hon Mr. John Birmingham
Stanley
And Camp
CONFIRMATION OF THE RECORD OF THE MEETING HELD ON 31 OCTOBER 2003:
This record was approved without any objections. The Speaker then signed them.
PAPERS TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE:
Copies of subsidiary Legislation published in the Falkland Islands Gazette since the last sitting of Legislative Council and laid on the table pursuant to Section 34.1 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordnance 1977 were then laid on the table.
MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT:
The Chief Executive:
Mr. Speaker, I beg to move that this house stands adjourned sine die.
Cllr. The Hon. Mrs Jan Cheek (JC):
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, with your permission, I will read the text of a letter which it’s proposed that we send to Sir Michael Jay, the Head of the British Civil Service.
"The Legislative Council and the people of the Falkland Islands were shocked and horrified by the atrocities in Istanbul yesterday. We send our sympathy and condolences to the families of colleagues of those who had been killed our wounded. Our thoughts are with them all at this sad time. Union flags in Stanley will be flying at half-mast as a mark of respect."
Secondly, I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome our new colleague, the Hon. Ian Hansen.
I support the motion.
Cllr. the Hon. Mr. Mike Summers (MS):
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I just wish also to welcome Ian Hansen to the Legislative Council and wish him well in his deliberations and to thank those other members of the public who stood for election. It’s a valuable service you do.
I support the motion.
Cllr. the Hon. Mrs. Norma Edwards (NE):
Yes. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to welcome Ian. I hope he enjoys his time on Council. I’m sure he will. I would also like to extend my thanks to those people who took the trouble to stand as well. It’s important that people do. I have to say it’s nice to see some younger members of the public coming on to Council now. I think you must not quite be the baby.. not quite the baby (of Council) but it’s a welcome change to see some younger faces.
Sir, I support the motion.
Cllr. the Hon. Mr. John Birmingham (JB):
Mr. President, Honourable Members, I would only like to rise and welcome Ian Hansen to the Legislature and I also wish him loads of luck for the next two years. I noticed he brought his pair of rubber gloves in so that when the blood does flow behind closed doors he won’t get his hands too dirty.
I support the motion.
Cllr. the Hon Mr. Richard Cockwell (RC):
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, yes, briefly, I would like to welcome Ian to this House. Hopefully he won’t find it any more daunting than I found it in my first few weeks but he will settle down and find himself as confident as the rest of us. Congratulations to you.
Cllr. the Hon. Mr. Stephen Luxton (SL):
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I would just like to briefly add my welcome to the Hon. Ian Hansen to this House. I think, in view of the events yesterday, it’s probably inappropriate to comment on any further, besides extending my condolences, as we have, to the bereaved following the events of yesterday.
Sir, I support the motion.
Cllr. the Hon. Mr. Ian Hansen (IH):
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I would like to thank you all for your kind welcome and I would like to take this opportunity to also thank those who elected me. And, I am looking forward to the two years in Council. I look forward to learning and listening to my more experienced colleagues and listening to them. And, I look forward to contributing something to this Council.
Sir, I support the motion.
The Chief Executive Mr. Chris Simpkins (CS):
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the horrific events in Istanbul yesterday serve to remind us of the continuing changes of the world in which we live and the relative safety we enjoy in the Islands. On Behalf of the Civil Service, I wish to record and extend our sympathy to the families and friends of those public servants who had made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.
On a more positive note, again, on behalf of the Civil Service, I would like to welcome Cllr Ian Hansen and to assure him of the support of the Civil Service in his arduous duties.
The Speaker, the Hon. Mr. Tim Blake (TB):
Honourable Members, before declaring the Council Adjourned, may I welcome our new Councillor, Ian Hansen. I had thought I was the baby of the House. Maybe I am not.
I declare Council Adjourned Sine Die.
