Falklands : Legislative Council: Friday, 24 February 2006 (Part 3)
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 01.03.2006 (Article Archived on 15.03.2006)
Motion for Adjournment speeches - thanks for the MPA tour are included.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: 24 FEBRUARY 2006
(Part 3: Motion for Adjournment Speeches)
By J. Brock (FINN)
Note: In yesterday’s transmission, Commodore Ian Moncrieff’s name was left off the list of those on Legislative Council. My apologies. LEGCO will be published in its entirety on the Internet via sartma.com and falklandnews.com. The corrected version will appear on those websites.
Cllr. the Hon. Mr. Ian Hansen:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, in rising to support the Motion for Adjournment, I just have a couple of very brief issues to touch upon. And, they are both issues concerning public consultation.
One is the review of our Constitution. I know this is settled – in a few months, at least. But I would urge Members of the Public to begin to focus on this so that important contributions can be made to the end result.
The other is the transport study. And, this comes back to us in May. And, in the interim I would just like to see a little feedback from the public. I don’t think it’s a particularly heavy or boring document – at least not compared to some – to read and digest. And, of course, there are the on-going visits from the Chief Executive when he’s been meeting in these various locations, which have, I hope, been helpful in the extreme.
It is a hugely important piece of work and will have an important affect on the transport system both internally and externally. So, I would ask as many people as possible to give us guidance on how we could best facilitate this study.
At the public meeting on Tuesday evening there was a question on the designation of all Government constructed roads and whether this was to be part of the Road Traffic Bill. I think it was made clear at the public meeting that this wasn’t the case – or at least not at this point. But sadly, and I say sadly, because I have always been opposed to the designation of Camp Roads. It does appear inevitable that some form of designation of Camp Roads will happen in the life of this Council. I strongly believe there must be exhaustion in thorough consultation with all residents in the Camp community to discuss the many problems that this rather late question will cause. It’s probably not necessary now that I go into detail as to what those problems are. And, indeed, people in Camp will be very much aware of them. And it certainly would be inappropriate of me to touch on the debate that we had at EXCO.
So, I would just like to assure people in Camp that I, and I hope, my colleagues on this Council make absolutely sure that if Camp Roads are to be designated it must be achieved in a way that does not in any way harm businesses or force people away from Camp and in particular from the farming community.
Finally, Sir, I would just like to extend my appreciation to the Commander British Forces South Atlantic and his staff for those very interesting, informative and enjoyable day that they played host to us on Tuesday. And I thank him for giving up his valuable time.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to support the Motion.
Cllr. the Hon. Dr. Andrea Clausen:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, in rising to support the Motion for Adjournment I, too, would like to briefly touch on a few issues. My first relates to the Internal Transport Review – partially, in that I would like to mention the Interim Ferry Service. I know some folk are not terribly in favour of the word, “interim,” but really I would like to say that this is a very important step towards building a permanent link between East and West Falkland. Of course the track, too, are fairly successful operation, may well be littered with many ditches but we have to stay positive and focused. We have to make this vital link work if we want West Falkland to survive. And, in time, I hope that this service will provide opportunity for new business to develop and grow, providing some much needed security for at least a part of the rural community.
Another issue I would like to mention is that of the recent Assessment by a contracted organisation on the extent to which the Falklands can comply with the UN Convention on the rights of the Child, which the UK ratified in 1991. This has come about due to the obligation of the UK Overseas Territories to submit a report in 2007, outlining the action plans and policies, ensuring that Convention obligations are met. Considerable work has been done and I am sure many people have met with the visitor, Miss. Chris Hamler.
Preliminary reports suggest that the Falklands do appear to be complying reasonably well in a good deal of areas mentioned in the convention. And, we also appear to be relatively ahead of many other Overseas Territories. Nonetheless, we do have some way to go. I realise that some people feel that children have far too many rights already but this is a hugely important area that we have to address. The right of a child to participate in family, cultural and social life is one with which I think we have a long way to go in the Falklands in addressing. I alluded to this in my manifesto back in November and I take the family approach rather than separating children out of the issue.
Some issues relating to this right include employment terms for parents, in particular flexible working hours but also childcare and leisure provisions. A number of other gaps have been identified by the compliant assessor and some cross cut the issues I have mentioned. I do look forward to working with both relevant Officers and colleagues to try and find solutions to a number of these gaps.
I see from media coverage this morning that they have touched on a number of other issues I was going to mention, so I will be very brief. Nonetheless, I would like to mention that we do appear to be entering quite an upbeat period regarding Minerals and Oil Exploration. And, I do applaud that. We have come a long way from the first drilling round in 1998 and we still have a long way to go. Of course we don’t know whether oil and minerals will be found in commercial quantities and it may be some time before we do know the answer to that but it’s refreshing to experience this renewed optimism.
On to another area of my portfolio and that is fisheries, in particular the current Illex season. Whilst the jury is still out as to whether we will have a reasonable season or not, I would like to make a point of mentioning the lack of a clear refund policy. Whilst there are many arguments for and against such a policy, I personally feel that a well thought-out, fair and clear policy will be a real benefit to both ourselves and Government but also to fishing companies. And, I sincerely hope this issue is going to be addressed in the near future. And, I will be taking it further myself.
Finally, I would just like to mention the forthcoming budget discussion. This being my first budget session, I will enter it with some trepidation, knowing it’s not going to be an easy process. However, I believe that most people are aware of the challenges that face us all. And, speaking for myself, I would like to convey that I will approach this process in an as fair and realistic manner as I am able and I will endeavour to achieve the best outcome for all.
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I support the Motion.
Cllr. The Hon. Mr. Mike Summers:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I will try to be brief. I was privileged delighted to be on the first scheduled ferry service that went across to Port Howard last weekend. It was an excellent trip. It was well run and I think everybody can take credit for that. It hasn’t been an easy track. I joined the pro-ferry lobby in 1989, so it’s taken only 17 years, which isn’t bad going, really. I think as a Council we as a Government need to treat the ferry service in the way that we decided fairly recently – we should be treating the pasture improvement programme and the Abattoir – it has to have along-term life for it to be successful because if people are sitting there worrying about whether it will still be there next month, they won’t then begin to take advantage of the economic and service opportunities that are raised by the existence of a ferry. So, it’s important for us as a Government to come out hard and clear and say the ferry is here – it’s here to stay. If it is delivered in a different matter then so be it. But the service is there and should remain there.
I would like, too, to thank the Commander British Forces and his staff for the excellent tour we had of their facilities earlier this week. It was instructive for me and I hope instructive for others. The benefit to us in going out to see what is going on in Mount Pleasant and surrounding areas is that we can be continually and constantly assured that the Commander has in place the sort of facilities that he needs to deter aggression in this area. That was a message that came over loud and clear to us and I am happy to repeat it to everybody else, that the facilities do exist here to defend the Falklands in circumstances that required it. And thank you very much for your time to demonstrate that.
I am sorry that Dr. Clausen mentioned it will be her first budget because it prompted me to note that it would be my tenth, when we get into it. It’s probably why I am so grey-haired. But this budget, I don’t think is going to be any easier than the last four or five that we’ve had. We can all hope and pray that by next May-time we have had a decent Illex season and we may feel a little more relaxed. That won’t mean there is going to be a good Illex season the year after and the year after that, so it is going to be another difficult budget session. My understanding so far, from what I have heard around the bazaars, is that everybody wants more money and nobody is particularly asking for less. There have already been some pressures on the wages budget from particular areas. I think we will see more of that but my understanding is that just about every department is making a special case for more money. Well, sorry, but it can’t be delivered. And, I don’t see how the Select Committee is going to be able to deliver that. So, as we have said before, there will need to be a certain amount of re-adjustment of sites in that area. But we will, of course, try to be fair and reasonable for everybody and to maintain all of those essential services that the Falklands thrive on.
My final comment is to slightly mourn the passing of “Calling the Falklands.” It was finally announced today. But also to look forward to the things that are going to replace it. There have been long discussions between the Falkland Islands Government and BBC World Service about helping to improve the quality of radio broadcast in the Falklands and hopefully, in the longer term, to enhance some television broadcasts. Whilst I know some will be sad to see the name go – “Calling the Falklands” has been through literally dozens of iterations in its time, It’s not now an iteration that forms a really important part of Falklands broadcasting. And, I think we will be much better off by accepting the training provision and technical assistance provision and some programming provision that BBC World Service is going to provide in its place. So, bye, bye “Calling the Falklands” but we look forward to a more complete and more vibrant Falkland Islands Radio Service and Media Trust.
Sir, I support the Motion.
Cllr. the Hon. Dr. Richard Davies:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, some of my colleagues have already touched upon the difficult budget we are going to face. And, I won’t flavour the point. But it does seem clear we are facing an economically difficult year and we have already started discussing spending priorities. As you all know, Government Departments have cut budgets successfully over the years and this can’t go on without reductions in service and difficult decisions.
Health and Education spending has, to a large extent, been protected but those departments are feeling the squeeze as well. And, members of the public who attended the meeting on education last month will be aware that we are looking at ways by which we can maintain at current levels the numbers of our students going overseas for further education but it’s not going to be easy.
Regarding Health Services, one of the major cost to Health Services all over the world is the cost of treating diseases caused by smoking – heart attacks, angina, bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer and loads of others. And I congratulate the local newspaper on raising this important issue. A ban on smoking in public places would encourage and assist many smokers to give up. And, it would have beneficial affect in human terms and economic terms. And, I think it’s clear that any gains that Government may make by taxing cigarettes will be more than offset by the savings in health costs in the longer term. A ban would also protect non-smokers and staff who work in establishments from the affects of passive smoking. I do understand the views of those who feel that this is taking the Nanny State too far. And, I think it’s an important, philosophical debate, which I hope members of the public will contribute to as to how far Government should interfere in people’s private lives and habits. I personally believe politicians have a duty to improve people’s health and I believe that some Government involvement in the smoking issue would counter-balance the pervasive and powerful influence of tobacco companies, who, of course, would like us all to take up smoking.
Moving on from the thorny issue of trying to protect human life, there is a less controversial one – protecting seabirds. I am delighted the Falklands are going to be hosting the ACAP workshop next month. ACAP is a treaty which aims to protect certain endangered species of Albatross and Petrels. The Workshop is organised by Falklands Conservation and attended by delegates from a large number of countries and Overseas Territories. And, I am pleased that the Falkland Islands, who have played a leading role in reducing seabird mortality in the Fishery are taking this a stage further.
Finally, I repeat my colleagues comments to much but I would like to thank Commander British Forces for his hospitality the other day. I was particularly impressed by the high quality briefings and intelligence and the huge investment in training and equipment as well as the high state if vigilance, which is clearly maintained 24 – 7- 365 days a year. And I think none of us seeing this could fail to appreciate the seriousness of the United Kingdom’s commitment to continue to defend our right to freedom for as long as it is threatened.
Mr. Speaker, I support the Motion.
Cllr. the Hon. Mr. Mike Rendell:
So, the first ferry run has taken place! And, passengers were blessed with some good weather, too. Well done to Island Shipping and long may it continue. I see this development as just one of a number of tools to enable farms and other businesses to develop their own potential and find new opportunities.
The recent first meeting of the Camp Workshop helped to set the scene for where Falklands agriculture was, is, and may be in the future. And, without any doubt whatsoever, the tools to do the job are an integral part of the long-term prosperity of the Camp. These tools include such things as a cross-sound ferry service, regular shipping services to the Islands, all-weather, heavy-duty roads, long-term operation of the Sand Bay Abattoir, FIDC support for new agricultural opportunities, good internet connectivity, and powerful agricultural programmes. We meet for a further session immediately after Camp Sports, with the intention of identifying some quick wins that will give peace of mind to those farmers who are currently going through worrying financial times.
The question for oral reply regarding MSL touched on the thorny issue of Medical Treatment overseas. This particular item has serious cost implications if a reasonable solution Can’t be found, which will not be easy.
One possible option that may be worth exploring is to require all non-FIG contract persons coming to work here from places other than from the UK – because we have reciprocal medical care arrangements with the UK – to take out medical insurance before arrival. With rising expectations, we are just going to have to take measures to keep this particular area of health costs under control.
Other Honourable Members have touched on our day trip to Mount Pleasant. For me this was most beneficial because it re-confirmed the absolute commitment and professionalism of Her Majesty’s Forces and the unswerving track that they follow in upholding our right to self determination. Sincere thanks to all those we met on the day - Brintell Helicopter crew, the ships company of HMS Dumbarton Castle, Jocks of the King’s Own Scottish Boarders, te Tornado F-3 air crews and the men of the RAF Regiment and their Rapier Squadron. Most particularly, it was a privilege to have the company of Commodore Ian Moncrieff throughout the day.
Finally, I, too, would like to maintain the momentum on the issue of smoking in public places and not just because I have the Health and Medical Services portfolio. Who would ever have thought that the Irish would have so whole-heartedly supported a smoking ban or that the Scottish Parliament would even have agreed to such a proposal, but they have, principally because of the recognition that voluntary measures, which are really all about comfort rather than public health, protection, simply do not work. It amazes me that the prominent health warning signs on every pack – the most stark being “Smoking Kills,” have no apparent deterrent value. If a smoking ban was introduced in all enclosed public spaces in the Falkland Islands this would, as some young smokers admitted in last week’s local newspaper editorial, provide the motivation for them to give up smoking. It is young people in particular who would benefit the most from giving up smoking because they still have many years to live. The medical benefits are obvious and proven but there are financial spin-offs, too. An average smoker spends at least £2,000.00 a year at today’s prices – all that money literally going up in smoke. I therefore urge fellow Honourable Members to take up the challenge of providing some real motivation for youngsters in particular to stop smoking.
Mr. Speaker, I support the Motion.
Cllr. the Hon. Mrs. Janet Robertson:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, at this stage in the proceedings there is a danger that I end up saying – “I, also, I also,” so on that basis, I am going to keep it very short.
I would like to thank the Commander British Forces for an excellent day on Tuesday. And, apart from feeling very queasy at one point in the proceedings, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day. I was going to talk about a number of issues but I will just keep it to one. Dr. Clausen did mention the visit of Chris Hamler and it was here to look at the gaps that we have in our legislation practices and policies, which will prevent the Falkland Islands complying with a UN Convention on the Protection of the Child. Her assessment highlighted all the benefits of being a child – children growing up in the Falklands.
But inevitably there are some down sides as well. And, I think I am right in saying that it does not appear that we are vastly or that we have a vast way to go in order to comply with this particular Convention. But I do think that it highlights the need for us to address these issues anyway. It’s looking at the hole range of children’s issues through from nursery care – baby, nursery care, through to adolescence and college students over wide elements including disabilities and care for disabilities and so on.
I think that in the Falklands we’ve got a situation where something like 74% of women over 15 work. I don’t have figures for countries that might not be particularly high. It seems to me quite a high figure, especially when you consider that the percentage for men is going to be considerably higher. And, it is inevitable that this high percentage of both parents in most family working, it’s going to have an affect one way or another on our children and in terms of the support that they are going to receive.
I think that over the years there have been developments in child care. I think we have got a long way to go and nursery care is certainly – and there has been a boost to nursery care in recent years – but there are still groups of children that don’t have the facilities of proper care and they might have a significant affect on our society. We need to look at those vulnerable groups. Offhand, I can think of one group, which are the 8 to 13 year-olds, who are too old for nursery care but too young to be at home alone. And, there is currently nothing to cater for these children unless they have activities through pre school and after school hours, which is not the case.
I think this is something for the whole community to be interested in and contribute to as it does involve all of us.
The only other thing I was going to say is that the assessment that Chris Hamler drew up was considered by a cross-department group, which I really found quite exciting. It was quite clear that this cross-department thinking is really the way to go. I know we hear a lot of the term, “joined up thinking” and it is a bit of the currency of our age and I think we have to develop that as much as we can as it is quite clear that by looking at things from one angle or another angle doesn’t necessarily give you enough information to address the fuller picture. We discovered that. The Honourable Richard Stevens and myself talked to careers guidance people at FICS yesterday and it became apparent how important it is that all those people that are affected or have input in some way to the development of children into adult life. And, indeed, the entry of people from abroad into our community as well and how that can all marry together and match to the benefit of the Islands.
That’s all I’m going to say.
Mr. Speaker, I support the Motion.
Cllr. the Hon. Mr. Richard Stevens:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I feel a bit like Janet with a lot more to say but I would like to reinforce a few areas and say that I was a little bit disappointed that we were unable to come up with some short-term initiative so that the Camp Economy would grow because it is right now that farmers are feeling the pinch. But we did have to grapple with an immense amount of information and opinions on the day.
We resume deliberations on the 6th of March and hopefully we will be able to come up with something constructive.
I think it’s worth mentioning that we are in a period of great change in farming and statistics, which are everything I know, went to changing farming practices and income from other sources is an important way of keeping up costs and providing a reasonable standard of living.
And change is a slow and winding road and easier for some farms, in my opinion, due to size, type, location and a host of other things. And we, as a Council, need to support and encourage the rural community during this transitory period.
The designation of roads seems to come up at the time when we could do without the cost implications that will come by making this decision. And, I look forward along with the other two Camp Councillors and the rest of the Councillors, speaking to people on the phone and also getting around within the Camp and talking and trying to make it as painless as possible.
I have to point out that there are a number of farms that do manage to function with designated roads going through their entire length.
I can’t close without briefly mentioning “Calling the Falklands,” slightly differently and I know that everyone at one time used to listen to “Calling the Falklands,” and this is our main external news source of issues concerning the Falklands. Many of us remember the morale boosting broadcasts during the conflict. Today, however, they seem to have a smaller audience, with little or no feedback to programme makers. And, at an estimated cost of £100,000.00 per year, the BBC and the last Council decided to call it a day. But hopefully, there will be benefits to have by making this decision.
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I support this Motion.
Cllr the Hon Mr. Richard Cockwell:
Mr. Speaker, I don’t even have the benefit of being able to say “I also” because that’s already been done. However, in rising to support the Motion, there are one or two issues which concern me, which I would like to highlight.
The first is that the oncoming budget round – I think we are all aware of the escalating costs due to the cost of fuel. But I do believe that we have to concentrate quite carefully and address the issue of the low income earners and people on fixed incomes, particularly the old age pensioners, who are finding that their cost of energy is actually creating a huge burden – using up a huge amount of their income. And, I think we really do have to look at this very seriously and see if there is any way we can alleviate the issues for these lower earning people.
Some of the people who earn higher incomes can actually tighten their belts but the belt is on the last notch with some of the older people. So, I do ask Members to think about that.
The ferry – everything’s been said about the ferry. I think it is a wonderful thing. I am so pleased as a long-term resident, in the past, of West Falkland. I can hardly imagine what it really will mean. But I think we do have to congratulate everybody involved in it. But remember, that until such time as we have a proper ferry – a dedicated vessel which is designed for the job, we cannot actually finally decide on the success or failure of the exercise. But it does look as though it’s going to work very well.
And, this is the first part of the development of communications. In order to develop anywhere, you have to have road and surface communication and then also telephone and, these days, digital communication. And that is the next thing that we have to look at so that Camp has equal digital communication as that which we are looking forward to in Stanley. We haven’t received it yet but we are looking forward to it.
And just returning to the budget again, I think all of us want to see a new budget, new ideas coming forward. However, the money has to come from somewhere. And, I think that is going to be the issue which affects all of us. There are going to have to be constraints whether we like it or not. We all have projects which we like to see taken forward. And, we have to be aware of the fact that medical treatment and education are things which we don’t want to see drawn back on. So, lets hope that we can retain the services that we have while hopefully developing some new initiatives in the budget this year.
Sir, I beg to support the Motion.
Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands Commodore Ian Moncrieff:
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