Falklands : Legislative Council 23/11/07 Part 3
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 30.11.2007 (Article Archived on 14.12.2007)
The final part of this important Council meeting.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT SPEECHES
Transcript by J. Brock (FINN)
Cllr the Hon Mr Richard Stevens:
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, there seems to be a reluctance of Members to stand forward. I would like to start where Councillor Ian Hansen ended and welcome the new Members around this table. And, just to say that Michael Blanch is the fourth Chief Executive that I will be working with, even if it is only going to be in a cameo role. All the Chief Executives that I have worked with have their own style and I have already found Michael positive and supportive and look forward to working together in the remaining time.
I would like to say a few words on the SAMA visit. I believe it was an incredible community event for Falkland Islanders and everyone will have their individual memories. And I wonder if any other community could have offered the beds, the vehicles and the depth of friendship and gratitude that was on display during the SAMA visit. Some of my lasting memories include travelling over to the service at San Carlos and seeing the first squall of the day rolling over Wreck Point as some veterans and their drivers looked down on San Carlos Water from the mountain behind ant others walked in the paddocks behind looking for their trench or hole that they occupied in ’82. The most moving sight for me was seeing the procession of British Forces, FIDF and Veterans lead by the band coming from the Cathedral to the Cross of Sacrifice. It probably occurred at the Cross of Sacrifice and, indeed at other times that we could have done a better job with the weather. I hope that we all got something out of the SAMA visit and, for those that seek it, have found comfort from the proceedings.
The Education Department has undergone a recent inspection. The inspection has included self assessment and input from students and parents. And, it is clear that although there is a lot of quality throughout the service, there are areas, especially in the Community School, where we need to improve. At the recent Education Board (Meeting) we looked at ways of supporting the Community School with additional resources that address the issues highlighted in the report hopefully within our existing budget. These recommendations go to the next EX-co in December.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I support the Motion.
Cllr the Hon Mr Michael Rendell:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I would like to endorse the comments made welcoming Dr. Blanch. It’s good to see you back and three months is going to take a few hairs out of your head by the time you leave, I would suspect, for the amount of work you are putting in. And the Honourable Mike Summers has made reference to David Taylor and all the work he did back in the ‘80s. And, it was my privilege to work alongside him in the Secretariat back in ’82, ’83. ’84. And the quiet and motivated system that he used to get on with his work. He left probably a lot of people in the dark as to the amount of work he was actually doing. But it is absolutely clear and evident that he laid the foundation for Chief Executives in particular in the Falkland Islands, so it’s very sad to see him go.
As the Honourable Mike Summers has also mentioned we now see a change in the portfolio system, which means that the three of us Executive Councillors no longer have portfolio responsibilities – or not major portfolio responsibilities. And, that means that we are going to be stepping out of the committees that we have been servicing over the last few years, which, for me, is regretful in a number of ways. It’s just the way the system has to evolve and that’s just the way it is. But I was just about to make a few comments about some of the Committees from which I will be withdrawing.
First of all, from the Police (Committee) who are going through a major process of change at the moment. We were all present at the presentation by the Chief Police Officer here several days ago and I think it was clear from that presentation that he is trying to change the basic methodology of the way the Police operate in the Falklands or not specifically change it but trying to bring it much more into the community, much more community driven. And, I think that is a tremendously good idea. Whether it is the view of the populace as a whole will be seen fairly soon, when the results of questionnaires which he’s passed out to people to fill in will be received. And, I would earnestly support everybody to get a questionnaire if you haven’t already got one so that your views can be passed back to Paul Elliot so that he’s got a clear line on which to steer.
The Medical Department has been a very demanding portfolio area to be leading over the last two years. We have gone through quite a few difficult areas including evolving a medical treatment overseas policy, which involves individual patients paying some money themselves, which has gone, in my opinion, remarkably smoothly. I think people have accepted their responsibility in contributing towards the costs of expensive treatment overseas. And, it has been particularly refreshing – I think it’s the first time it’s happened – that the Hospital has had a full audit from an overseas team – actually a Ministry of Defence Audit Team – has taken place five or six weeks ago, and although the final report has not yet been received, the interim indications are that the Hospital comes out with flying colours in just about every aspect of its operation. I think we all find this particularly encouraging.
The Transport Advisory Committee is another area, which I will be stepping back from. Of course the major thrust there has been the setting up of the new coastal Shipping and Ferry Service and all that goes with it. It’s getting there. I think we’ve overcome most of the main hurdles. It’s been a long and bumpy path for lots of us but it’s getting there. One of the conclusions of this will be that people on West Falkland will need to adapt the way in which they do their business because they are not going to get a door to door service as they did with the Tamar. That’s sort of been evolving over a period of time but once the Ferry is running on a very regular basis it’s going to change completely the way in which people do their business. It is the same process that people on East Falkland had to go through a number of years ago when roads were built to their settlements and the coastal shipping service was subsequently withdrawn from those places on East Falkland. People on the East, I think, have coped, have adapted and made it work best for them and I can see no reason why that shouldn’t happen on the West.
We are in an interesting situation today with not being broadcast live because changes are being made in the FIRS studio so there is no radio around the Islands. The medium-wave transmitter at MPA – Bush Rincon is off fire so there are no BFBS 2 medium wave transmissions, a number of people are having problems in the Camp with their internet connections and, I think the TV is off as well in the Camp. So, these are all issues which are being considered – they are under consideration but we need to move on a pace and get those people out there who are, in lots of cases quite isolated, in touch with people in Stanley and with what’s going on around the world. And, I am sure we would all go along with that.
And one thing – it’s a question I am going to have to ask the Honourable Dr Blanch is if anything could be done to harness our own medium wave transmitter whilst the MPA medium wave transmitter is off, to disseminate the news that otherwise wouldn’t be possible to do. – Not this weekend –
We all sit here very cosily. I go out to Camp every month or thereabouts and I go out to a situation where there’s no World Service Radio except for very short periods of the day, where there’s no KTV, there is no ability to see live direct news. And, then you come back to town and you’ve got everything at your fingertips. I think we tend to forget about the situation that the Camp is in. It is convenient to do that for some. I am not suggesting that people in this room do but I just wanted to make a gentle reminder about it and it needs to be revised as quickly as we can.
I would also like to associate myself with the remarks that the Hon Ian Hansen made regarding a single constituency. And, I have to be honest. Before I seriously considered standing for Council, I was of the opinion that a single constituency would be the best solution for us. But since I’ve been elected I have changed my mind. And, I think there would be a danger, depending on who is elected, of the Camp losing any kind of influence at all in what happens in the Camp. I don’t for one minute suggest that is the case with the existing Council. In fact, you couldn’t ask for a more sympathetic bunch. But that might not always be the case.
I would like to finish with a few words about the visit of the veterans over the last month or two. And, in particular to make some comments about what happens in the future. It is absolutely clear that many of those people that came back got tremendous benefit from the visit and also, so did a lot of Falkland Islanders who had gone through a lot of difficulties in 1982. It’s not a phrase I like using but I think it’s an appropriate one – I think a lot of ghosts were laid to rest. However, there are a lot more that are sitting on street corners, perhaps in London, sipping away on a bottle of whiskey, who nobody knows about, who probably nobody really cares about – out of sight, out of mind. And, it is those people, in my belief, that really do need to be targeted if at all possible. When Chris Keeble was down here in June he clearly identified this as a serious problem and was going to try and do something about it.
But we shouldn’t by any means assume that because we have gone through the 25th anniversary that that is the end of it because there are many thousands of veterans who probably would benefit from a return visit to the Falklands. And, I hope that in the longer term that can be achieved – the very, very long-term!
Mr Speaker I support the motion.
Cllr the Hon Mr Richard Cockwell:
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, in rising to support the Motion I, too, would like to mention the veterans’ visit. I think it was a great success and safe to say beyond what the Honourable said about it and others. In particular is the benefit that Falkland Islanders get out of it as much as the veterans themselves. And, I really do look forward to trying to find ways to make sure that this happens – not every year – but reasonably frequently. I think it is a chance for us to show our gratitude to the people who came down in 1982 and gave us the lifestyle we are able to enjoy today. And also, if we can give them some help and benefit at the same time that is an added bonus. The Honourable Mike Summers mentioned the passing of three people who will be greatly missed in the Falkland Islands. David Taylor was our first Chief Executive and I, amongst many others are proud not only to remember him not only as an excellent Chief Executive but a friend as well and we grieve his passing.
I welcome the new portfolio arrangements. There has been a lot of discussion amongst ourselves on the best way to achieve more scrutiny and clarity in our proceedings. I think this, hopefully, will go a long way to achieve that.
And while talking about this I am wondering whether this is the time to change our name from a Council. It creates a huge amount of confusion overseas calling ourselves Councillors. And, it’s a colonial system where originally when we were a colony we were Councillors just like Councillors – Rural District Councillors or Town Councillors. We are not now. We are a Legislative Assembly. And I would like to see us change the name from Legislative Council to Legislative Assembly. We are Members of Parliament. We are not just ordinary Councillors. Not that it takes away from the work that Councillors in other parts of the world and in Britain in particular do but we are a Legislative Assembly
Obviously with my Public Works portfolio, which I may or may not lose in the new arrangements, I have to mention the success of the wind farm. It’s been a great thrill to me to see the wind farm coming to fruition – seeing those magnificent generators spinning in the wind and realising that we are creating electricity for no major cost other than the Capital costs of the wind farm. And, I must acknowledge the contribution of everybody who has been working with it, not only Enercon, who actually constructed it – the engineers who came down to help construct it – but also the members of the Electrical Department who put in many hours and who still are putting many hours in to bringing it up to full capacity. And, I really do have to recognise that.
Waste management is moving on. We already have bottle imploders and people are getting used to using them – taking their bottles down to the imploders rather than just chucking them in the bins. I understand that there is a scheme now for the disposal of or the recycling of Aluminium cans, which will be another benefit. But it’s going towards showing that the Falklands are concerned by green issues and our environment and I think it is very important that you continue this and I look forward to seeing a waste management programme put forward where we actually take everything right forward, including proper land fill so we can actually close (Cllr Cockwell said Gypsy Cove but meant Eliza Cove) Tip, which, although it is doing a good job, is a bit of an eyesore.
Just before I close, I, too, would like to associate myself with what the Hon. Mike Summers said about drugs. It is a very serious matter to hear that drugs are becoming available in the Falklands. And, I believe that if it is deemed necessary that we buy ourselves a drugs dog, I will certainly support it as long as it is properly put forward. I would support the concept of us having our own drugs dog. But lets hope it’s not necessary.
And finally, welcome the new faces here – we have three new faces and an ol – a familiar face – the only old face here is mine. It’s very good to see Michael back. It’s been a breath of fresh air and I wish him luck on everything else he does because I don’t think he will be here for the next Legco so I do wish you all the best in the future.
Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. I beg to support the Motion.
Cllr the Hon Mrs. Janet Robertson:
Thanks Mr. Speaker, honourable Members, I think many have touched on the subjects I wanted to talk about today. Of course I’d like to endorse the comments welcoming the three new members to the House. I just wanted to say, David, I think it’s been much of an upheaval coming from the UK to quite a difficult start. And I am glad to see the Attorney General’s Department is back on track with a full complement of staff and I hope that this allows you to get everything settled. And I would just like to actually mention about the excellent work that Ros has done because over the last year she has had to step in on several occasions with very short notice and she’s done it extremely well. I would like to say on behalf of all of us, we would like to thank her for what she’s done.
I was just going to say that the Honourable Richard Cockwell and Mike Summers have both mentioned drugs. I absolutely agree that there should be a zero tolerance policy towards this. Being a small community with only two points of entry into the Islands, I think it is something that we can control and that we can do something about. But it’s not just the practical presence of drugs or the availability of drugs that’s the problem. It’s also the attitude to them. And, it is not just drugs in this respect but it’s also alcohol and underage sex – all areas that we need to be concerned about.
For that reason I was absolutely delighted that the Chief of Police announced that we are going to have a full DARE Training programme commencing in the Islands. Last year I think everyone endorsed and supported the DARE Programme for many years. It was in the Junior school and we were just going through the process of extending that into the Senior School when, due to staff issues at the Police Department it had to be withdrawn from the Junior School. So, it was going back a step. I think also that the recent school inspection highlighted the need to have exactly this type of programme put into the schools and developed with the whole issue of social and health education for young children is vitally important. So it’s great news about DARE and I think already achieved such great success in that.
Again, a little bit on young people. I absolutely agree with all the comments made about the SAMA visit. It was hugely successful, it was hugely emotive. I think we all probably got to hear stories that we never heard before and in my case what | found so moving was one case as I was told stories and I was assured by the tellers that they had told no one other than their psychiatrist before what their story had been. They had not told their wives, they have not told friends. In that sense the visit was, for some of them, a real release valve and I just hope they return and be able to talk more and tell those closest to them some of the things they told us here in the Falklands.
One of the things I really enjoyed was the third event this year – the Royal British legion Dance. It was open to 12 years and up. I think that this year we have an opportunity to see how successful and how enjoyable it is to have a greater mix of ages at these community events. I think we have spent far too long working on the basis that children, teenagers and adults should be kept apart at all costs. If we do this we can not then complain when there is a complete lack of understanding between all these groups. (Over the tape) It’s been a clear success and I really hope to see more of them in the future. It might be that we have to look at the issues in our licensing laws again and see if these are some ways hampering those ambitions.
Just quickly on the issue of the portfolio system, I am looking forward to it. It is going to possibly be quite a lot more work for us all but I think that is a challenge that we’ve all accepted and it is achieving what we want to achieve. It is a little bit ironic that recently we had a survey in the newspaper asking precisely these questions about were we getting more transparency, more scrutiny. It’s been two years in discussion and we always hoped to be able to put something into place at this time and half way through our Council and I am really pleased that we are making steps forward.
Another thing I would like to say is that whilst it is true that we probably haven’t been great at putting debate in the public arena, I think the same thing happened backwards. We don’t necessarily have a great understanding of what the community thinks and feels, I would just like to see if there could be more opportunity for full forums for debate, for the public meeting there could be, maybe a little bit more debate and discussion. If need be on the radio we could hear. I would like to hear what members of the community think. I’d like to hear debates on the radio. We do have a letters page and I like to see people making full use of that and I was just wondering if we could find somewhere to develop that line as well.
Finally I would just like to mark the Honourable Michael Rendell’s remarks about communications in camp. I would like to say we must work and find a solution to this whilst we are building roads and ferry ports people are much more isolated than they were before there was a single road built. Communications are absolutely essential if we want to see the Camp develop. So I know that everyone understands this I would just like to emphasize the point that radio especially is critical as well as access to internet and telephone.
That’s it, nothing more to say.
I support the Motion.
Cllr the Hon Dr Andrea Clausen:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, firstly, I, too, would like to join my colleagues in thanking all colleagues for my re-election to Executive Council and will endeavour to work hard to apply a consistently fair and objective and where necessary robust approach to policy making and I hope that my re-election to Executive Council reflects their appreciation of that being the case over the last two years.
Of course My Honourable colleague talked in terms of the many changes that we are about to implement regarding the portfolio structure and areas of responsibility. And, as a result of my election to Executive Council today, I will be saying good-bye to some of my areas so I just would like to mention that.
I would like to thank the Heads of Department, the General Manager of FIDC, Fisheries and Minerals, for all of their support over the last two years. Especially being a new member to Legislative Council we’ve got an awful lot to learn and it’s very important that the Heads of Department are there to help you along to provide you with relevant information as and when you need it and also to treat you as if no question is too stupid, which I think is very important.
There’s been a considerable amount of progress in my portfolio areas over the last few years. Two areas I would particularly like to mention and that is the implementation of ITQ in the new property rights system in fisheries. And, whilst that law was passed before this Council, its been fascinating to work on the Committee – the Fisheries Advisory Committee with members of the industry and Officers in seeing that being implemented – being rolled out and actually starting in some of the fisheries.
On the subject of fisheries, of course, Its not all smooth and we have at least one issue on the horizon which we are going to have to figure out a way to deal with and that is the UN Resolution for a ban on bottom fishing on the high seas in order to protect ecologically sensitive areas. The fact of the matter is they would like that ban. It’s within the resolution that, that is a reverse burden of proof i.e. we have to put our case and there may well be difficulties for the industry to address and the Government together with the industry. And, the work is already in line for trying to put together a case so that the industry is kept informed at all times.
In the absence of a regional fisheries management agreement the deadline for that ban is actually 31 December 2007, which doesn’t give us very much time but we do already have a reasonable case to put.
On the subject of SAMA, I will just say a few words. I think it’s been a very humbling experience, talking to people who have come back, particularly PARAs that I met from Goose Green and the fact that I was only 10 when the war happened and we were liberated and I really hadn’t got my head around some of those men were, in fact, 17, 18 who came into Goose Green in ’82 and I found that very hard to get my head around. Of course we are all very grateful for the sacrifice that they made. And, I hope the visit went a way to helping them. It certainly helped me and I believe many people in the Islands as well with trying to understand both sides.
On the issue of a single constituency, I would just like to say a couple of words as I am a person who supports holding another referendum on a single constituency. I would just like to say that by supporting that, I in no way would like to see the Camp marginalised or the Camp vote marginalised. I would only support moving to a single constituency if there was an appropriate voting system to back that up so that representation was as fair as it could possibly be. I do believe that when you are elected to the Legislature in a country as small as ours that you are responsible for all of the Falkland Islands. And whilst it’s very important that you represent your constituents, be it Stanley or Camp, actually, you are responsible for the Falklands Plc – which I quite like as a phrase. We are responsible for everybody in the Falklands and everything that happens within our country. And, I believe that having a single constituency might be a way to progress and reinforce that issue.
There is only one further thing I want to say today and that is on a subject that is quite controversial but I believe the time might have come for a bit of a public debate on this. It’s recently come to my attention both the private sector and the public that the policy of positive discrimination in terms of employment may not always be sensible or logical. It is not clear that the policy which exists for the public service is applied equally to the private sector or is indeed different. I understand the historical background to why positive discrimination was put in place in terms of our Constitution and, indeed, our ordinances. But I think that maybe it’s time to look at that a little more closely. I believe that we need to look at the long-term impact of such a policy on our society and are we, indeed, at times promoting a degree of mediocrity within our society in order to strictly adhere to a policy that may well be getting out of date.
In order to bring this issue into the public arena, I do propose to bring a motion to this House in the New Year to allow a full and very public debate on this issue. I think I would like to hear my colleagues and I would like the opportunity myself to further research the area and to present it so that we can all think long and hard about what it means now and what it means going through with.
Sir, I support the Motion.
The Hon Financial Secretary Mr Derek Howatt:
Mr Speaker, Honourable members, I would just like to add my condolences to David Taylor’s partner on the passing of the Hon David Taylor because I also had the pleasure of working with him. He was certainly a very hard working man. In addition to that list of tasks that Councillor Summers explained, I think the other major task was kick-starting the land reform policy and that took a lot of his time. He was hard working but also quite funny as well. I always remember that he used to call me the “Master of the Rolls” And, that was because the treasury Department was closest to the toilets and we monitored the stock of toilet paper.
I would like to say, too, welcome to the Chief of Staff to his first meeting and the Attorney General and my colleague, Mike Blanch back to this house and also to say that he has more than one thing in common with the late David Taylor. They were both Chief Executives and they were also – David Taylor came back for another term as well when the former Chief Executive left unexpectedly.
I should like to support the Motion for Adjournment.
The Hon Chief Executive Dr Michael Blanch:
Mr Speaker, thank you for asking me to speak on the motion for adjournment. First, I want to echo the Honourable Members condolences to David Taylor’s partner. As I say, I stand in awe of what that man did and I think I am a very unworthy successor. I met him in 2002 when he was here for the 20th anniversary and he was deadly keen to find out what I was up to. He lived the Islands. He lived them, I suspect, right up until the moment of his unfortunate death.
And I would also say thank you very much for your very kind remarks about me and really thank you for the privilege of coming back here again - even if it’s only, in the words of Councillor Stevens, in a cameo role. I am immensely – I suppose I share with David – immensely committed to the Islands and it’s been a real joy to help, even if I have been getting balder in the last few weeks I will continue to do so. And I note that the Honourable Member that said I might be getting balder, that added to my objectives, which is to look at the Medium Wave Transmitter. But not this weekend.
I leave in six weeks – the day after the by-election. I will be succeeded by Tim Thorogood. And I know that Tim and Alison are looking forward very much to coming here. I know that he is equally enthusiastic and I am sure he will be an absolute asset to you.
And so I end by wishing this House and Honourable Members and my Colleagues in the Civil Service and the whole community that may or may not be listening to this broadcast the very best for the Islands’ undoubtedly successful future. And to say that you are remaining in our thoughts and very much in our prayers.
Remarks by the Speaker the Hon Mr Lewis Clifton:
I will move on to close this meeting. Before I do, if I may, Honourable Members, associate myself with the remarks you made in respect of David Taylor. I wish to be associated with those.
Indeed, there are probably four new faces from the last time we sat at this meeting here today and I wish a warm welcome to the Rev. Richard Hinds and although not in the inner sanctum, still within the chain fence. I welcome the Attorney General David Pickup to his first meeting, Dr. Michael Blanch back for a return match, so to speak and to Group Captain Peter Jones.
Honourable Members, I do look forward to participating in your desire to take forward not only constitutional development but also the way in which meetings and legislative business is conducted. I will make myself available to whatever meetings you wish to propose to take all that forward and I very much look forward to it.
I appreciate that some Honourable Members have made various commentary in the newspaper over the last week or so and while standing orders of this House are rather strict, I have endeavoured, particularly in terms of question time to allow you to ask a number of supplementary (questions). I suspect if there had been another speaker here he may not have been so inclined to allow them. They are sometimes rather loose in nature but I have taken the view that there is a listening public out there and indeed, when it is listening, and they appreciate those extra comments and extra statements you are able to make, even if it causes – in one particular case – the Financial Secretary to go scurrying into his briefcase to find the answer to give to the House.
So I welcome your thinking in terms of constitutional development on the proceedings of the business of this House.
|
