Legislative Council Meeting: Part 2

Commentary by J. Brock (FINN)

MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT SPEECHES:

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, on rising to support the Motion, there are a couple of things I’d like to say.

First, is a safety issue. The other day a colleague mentioned the fact that Dennis Middleton had to negotiate some pot-holes on the Monument Hill. In doing so, he put himself in some severe degree of danger from traffic. Dennis also told me when I saw him a few days ago that one of the problems he has around town is getting his chair on to the pavement so as to gain entry into buildings. Could I ask the Member from PWD to bring these issues to the attention of the PWD Committee for some consideration? Perhaps a barrier on the sea wall side of the walkway would help and access opposite Cable & Wireless may be one way of conquering the problem.

We have a person here in this House who is attending his last Legislative Council. Dr. Mike Blanch is fast approaching the end of his contract with the Falkland Islands Government. On behalf of the Legislative Council, I would like to extend our warmest thanks for his expertise, experience, wealth of knowledge, good sense of humour and incredible patience in moulding the shape of our now present Government. Mike, you will be a hard act to follow. I also have the honour of presenting to you this Legislative Council tie.

Finally, I would like to wish yourself and Penny well for the future.

Mr. Speaker, I support the Motion.

MB: Thank you. May I reply here, Mr. Speaker?

TB: You may.

(Nothing heard)

TB: Cllr Birmingham?

Mr. President, Honourable Members, the public will be aware that the St. Mary’s Parish Council, or Committee, turned down the offer from FIG to purchase the land on St. Mary’s Walk. That’s their decision and I accept that decision. But I would like to publicly disassociate myself from the views expressed by the unknown letter writer in last week’s Penguin News.

Now, some time ago, it would have been a couple of years ago, in this house Cllr. Norma Edwards, when talking of the problems of not being able to get any work done, suggested that she might have to take the fencer to bed to get anything done at all. Now, I’m not suggesting that Norma Edwards is a "Slapper" but what I can confirm is that the other day at a meeting, she technically assaulted me. And, I have witnesses to prove this. Although, as she’s not very well at the moment, I shan’t pursue with my lawyers any more of this. What I would say, because I know she is listening, is that we do miss her and we hope that she gets better than she is at the minute.

Recently I have had a number of people ask me about the lift that was purchased for the Town Hall some years ago. And, I wonder if the Honourable Roger Edwards would be able to find out for me what ever happened to it. It’s been suggested to me that a lift on the northern outside wall might be the easiest way of putting such a facility in the Town Hall. Although, I do know that there were plans in hand to put an internal shaft into the building.

Honourable Member, to my right, Philip Miller, has brought up the situation regarding access on rough pavements around the town for wheelchairs. The Health and Services Committee have allowed myself and a few other interested parties to set up a small working group, including somebody from PWD, to go around the town with a map and mark out the places where we can make access easier and better, not only for the likes of Dennis, but also for other wheelchair users and people pushing prams.

Long before Birmingham came to these Islands, people have utilised the Stanley Common. And, the riding of Motorcycles on the Common was accepted as just a way of life. It’s useful for youngsters to be able to learn their skills close to town. And, as long as there’s no silliness, there is absolutely no harm in it. It would appear that there is now an issue over the legality of riding vehicles – motorcycles – on the Common and I hope that we are not going to go too far down the road of becoming too heavy handed over this. But for the sake of the public, the Attorney General is very sympathetic to this possible problem and has assured me and other Councillors that he is looking into ways of clearing it up.

Now, I don’t actually remember seeing the headline "The Beast of Bromley" but there was talk some years ago prior to this Chief Executive coming here that he did have a very sharp set of teeth. And, it turned out that on occasion, he does have a set of teeth that are quite sharp. But most of the time I think he’s been fair – fair minded – and handled things, as has already been said, in a very professional manner. And, I, for one, will be sorry to see him leave his post. And, I think that it’s unfortunate that he is going at this particular time because we don’t know what’s going to happen in the next year or so economically. But anyway, he’s going and I would like to wish him and his wife, Penny all the very best for the future.

And, on the subject of the new Chief Executive, when he came down here the sun was shining and all things were rosy. It will be interesting to see what his views are after a couple of months around and about the bazaars.

I notice in the Local newspaper today that there is a little bit of bitterness in the editorial. Well, we all like a bit of sport. But I noted that at Standing Finance (Committee) this morning, yet again, there were no members of the media at all. Standing Finance (Committee) is probably the most – second most important Committee that meets in public in the Islands. And, it can be difficult for members of the public to get to some of these committee meetings but that particular one is very important and the public rely for their information on the media.

Mr. Speaker, I support the Motion.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I will be relatively brief this morning. Just a couple of words, firstly about the Abattoir, which is now up and running. And, having got into not yet full production but relatively full production, it seems to be running well. It seems to be very encouraging that we are being offered prices for Falklands meat very substantially higher than we had expected. I think that bodes well for the finances of the business. The amount of animals that we had expected to come to the Abattoir this year is holding up very well and that, too, I think, bodes well. There will be problems on the way. We know that because it happens with every project. But so far, things are looking relatively good. And, to pick up a note that one of my colleagues has used previously in respect of this project, I sincerely hope that those who have been hoping it will fail are completely wrong.

JB: Here, here!

MS: It’s interesting, too, that there have been a couple of references to anonymity today in different respects. I was having a discussion recently with some folks about the desirability and the necessity of Falkland Islanders coming forward to run their own country. It’s an important matter. Many of them don’t, and that’s regrettable, but yet complain about people who were not necessarily born here doing it. Well, I don’t think you can do that. If you want to have a real say in running your own country, then you have to come forward and do it, not only in terms of public office, but also in terms of running departments in the Government and running your own business. And, I think there are many Departments of the Government currently run by people on contract that could be run by people locally with a little bit more verve and a little bit more self-confidence. Don’t hide yourself away in the background and then criticise others for what, perhaps, you could have done yourself – perhaps even in a better way. I would like to encourage people of their own free will to come forward. We often talk in Council meetings of making sure that we appoint local people to local jobs. Yes, we should. But on the other side, please make yourself available for these sorts of tasks and I think we will all find that we end up happier people. I certainly hope so.

I am sad to hear that the Chief Executive is coming to the end of his time. Well, time here, anyway. But as has been said before, it’s been a delight to work with him. His thoroughly professional attitude and good humour have been pleasant. It means that we could have a jolly good spat and then get on with the next piece of business. And, that’s just how it should be. I have enjoyed working with him and have enjoyed having the company of Penny here in the Falklands as well. And, I wish you both well for the future.

Sir, I support the motion.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I, too, wish to mention briefly the Abattoir because I wish to clarify my personal position on this, which is that I have supported the project and I continue to support the project. I do it because I believe it is an indirect subsidy to productive farms – people we should be encouraging. If, at some point in the future, it goes into profit, wonderful. But I don’t anticipate that real soon.

It leads me into – one – supporting the Honourable John Birmingham’s remarks about the press. When we had our meeting on the Abattoir a few weeks ago, the press should have been knocking on the door demanding to be there. I think people will agree with me, who were at that meeting, that there were approximately two minutes at that meeting which may have been sensitive and which could have been saved for the end. The rest of the time, the press could and should have been there reporting on this very important issue involving very large sums of Government money. I’ll say no more on that.

I’d like also to support my colleagues’ remarks about our Chief Executive. As John Birmingham alluded to, we were warned that this man was too many guns for us and we really shouldn’t appoint him. I’m glad to say that the majority of the Councillors of the day ignored that advice and appointed him. And, I certainly have never regretted that for one moment. We gained a Chief Executive for all too short a time of exceptional ability, a determination to carry through the tasks that he’s given, and to do so with a complete lack of ego. He also brought great intelligence and perception to the job. We will miss you and Penny.

I support the Motion.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, on rising to support the Motion, I note that two other Members have talked about disabled facilities in town. Having actually, in the last two months, been doing some research into this, I can only agree with what they say. (Cllr. Cockwell broke his ankle.) I believe that the Government facilities for the disabled are absolutely deplorable. From doors in the Secretariat which will throw you down the stairs if you are on crutches, to the fact that you can’t get into the Post Office in a wheelchair – at least, I am totally unaware of how you can get into the Post Office in a wheelchair. I think the Government should really be looking at the private sector, who have actually been doing things for the disabled. I think also that they are required to, under planning regulations and such like. And, Government, when they are doing alterations, do not seem to be bearing in mind the needs of the disabled. In the last two months, I have had a very personal involvement in that. In a short time, hopefully, I will be back on two legs again. But I promise that I will not leave this alone. I believe that we have to look at providing adequate facilities for the disabled.

Regarding the Abattoir, I fully support what the Honourable Mike Summers said and my colleague Jan has said about the Abattoir. I have always supported it. I will continue to support it. And, I think the point which needs to be made is that even if we are having to subsidise it in order to keep it going, the overall income to the economy is, in a very much greater extent, than what we are subsidising it for. If that changes, obviously, we will have to look at it.

I, too, miss Norma sitting alongside me here and all I can say is I hope she is feeling better than she sounded yesterday and that she gets well soon.

Lastly, I come to the sad occasion of Mike Blanche’s leaving our administration. He’s been an inspiration to work with. His enthusiasm, commitment, good humour, and his ability to have an argument with you then you just get on with your work here and there is no umbrage taken or anything else. It has been a pleasure to work with him in that way. I think the only thing, which some people found a bit daunting was the volume and speed of work, which piles out of his office. And, I think some people, in fact, even myself, has found the volume of paper sometimes quite terrifying. But I think we have managed to keep our heads above water. He’s been a good friend to the Falklands and I hope we can consider ourselves personal friends as well. I wish both Mike and Penny bon voyage and I hope that they have a prosperous and comfortable future and I hope we will meet again in the future.

Sir, I beg to support the motion.

Mr. Speaker, in rising to support the Motion for Adjournment, there are one or two things I would like to mention.

The Financial Secretary this morning was speaking of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, he spoke of the cost of the medical Treatment overseas. That is just one of the many costly items that we, as a Government, have to support. And, this Council has said that under the priority based budget scheme, which we have been discussing, Medical and Education would be the least touched. I think that is right proper. But it does cost a lot of money. The cost of running Government has increased dramatically recently. And, I was delighted this morning that when I asked the Chairman of the Standing Finance Committee if we could look at the whole cost of Government and an analysis of this, I was delighted that he agreed and there is going to be a report prepared for March for Council to study and I welcome this.

On the case of money, yesterday, three separate individuals accused me of stopping their holiday credits. And, I would like, once again, to say we have stopped no ones holiday credits yet and I don't know if we will. Holiday credits was just one of a whole line of suggestions within the priority based budget. This will all be discussed in due course. But once again, for all those listening, I would like to say I nor any of my fellow Councillors have stopped your credits.

I thank Cllr. Miller and Cockwell for their reminder of the problems that the disabled have in and around Stanley. And, I would be delighted to take that to the Public Works Committee to see if we are falling down on legislation, as was suggested, or ordinances. I don’t believe that there is actually anything laid down within the Planning Ordinance and the like that we are falling down on. I don’t think it’s something that should be legislated for. It’s something that should be done as a matter of course. So I would be delighted to take that to the Public Works Committee, chase it up and find out why we aren’t doing it.

Cllr. Birmingham mentioned the lift. I have heard something about this in the dim and distant past before I was ever elected to Council. And, I thought the whole thing was lost. It just disappeared. But I will take it up and I will let you know where it is and what the plans are. It might well be.

I, too, would like to echo all the comments of my colleagues regarding the Chief Executive. He has given me sound advice. Others have spoken of having spats and getting on with things. I would remind him he's got four weeks yet. But I wish you well in the future to you and to your wife, Penny.

Sir, I support the Motion for Adjournment.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, recently I have also had representations made to me by some parents on the subject of children using motorbikes out on the Common. It may very well be technically illegal but the fact is it’s one of those little things in the Falklands that has been going on for many years and causes no harm at all. In fact, it stands those same children in good stead when they do eventually venture on to paved roads. We continually hear comments about youths of various ages wandering around the streets at a loss for something to do. And, to clamp down on those who find something to do, other than to drop litter on Jan’s steps, doesn’t make senses Rather like the recent saga of the electronically propelled scooters, it’s something I feel we don’t need to regulate because it’s really not causing anybody a problem. I have always been against the concept of regulation for its own sake, or regulation because that’s what’s done in somewhere or an other. And, I will continue to hold that view. I firmly feel that more often than not we need to change the law to reflect what people want to do rather than change what people are doing to reflect the law.

Further on this matter, I discovered only shortly before this meeting that legal advice suggested that it is presently illegal to use any motor vehicle on the Common. At a stroke, this would seem to prohibit battlefield tours, cutting and carting peat, excursions to the Lighthouse, anybody required to venture off the road to look after their horses and any other reasonable activities practices by law abiding citizens. I haven’t had a chance to look into this in any detail yet but if there is any truth in it, then clearly, it must be changed. I suspect it’s probably an antiquated law and for that reason, I would just like to make it clear that I am not getting at the current legalist establishment or the people that are charged with enforcing it. Nevertheless, I think it is something that does need to be looked at.

As many people who know me will already be aware, I feel much the same about designating Camp Roads, which I think is entirely pointless, unnecessarily restrictive and, in any case, close to unenforceable. It’s long been my belief that we should un-designate all roads apart from Stanley, MPA and the road in between. The main cause of vehicle accidents in this country is usually the bad connection between the seat and the steering wheel. That’s the driver. And, imposing rules and regulations is unlikely to change that.

I was sitting on the throne (loo) this morning at about 0530, pondering what to say today and the subject of daft excuses came into my head. We may sometimes wonder about some of the reasons given for this failure or that cost overrun but I think even the best here still have some way to go to catch up with the modern European excuse machine. From the TV blaring in the other room, I heard a comment issue forth which attributed the delays on the London Underground today to the fresh snow that has been in London. As I recall never noticing snow in a tube station before, there might be hope for us yet.

I’ll finish today by also bidding farewell to the Chief Executive as this is his last time in this House. We are facing a time of some uncertainty in our Islands. The enormous work that he and his team have put into the alternative budget shall particularly be singled out. However, it’s only part of the very substantial contribution to the Falklands that Michael has made in his time here. I am sure the future is in good hands with his successor. And, we look forward to welcoming Chris Simpkins in a month or so. But he will undoubtedly have a hard act to follow. I wish you and Penny all the best for your future.

Sir, I support the motion.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, on behalf of my colleagues in the public service, I would like to thank Mike for his fair and firm leadership and for his friendship over the past three years. I join with elected members in wishing both Mike and Penny well for the future.

I support the Motion.

As Honourable Members will know, I don’t normally make speeches in this House. I prefer the advice of Benjamin Disraeli, to a new, young Member of Parliament, who asked him how often he should speak in the House. Benjamin Disraeli advised the new Member that he should speak very rarely, indeed, because it was better for Honourable Members to wonder why he did not speak than why he had.

And, I am reminded, too, now that the Honourable Councillor Edwards tells me that I have got 4 weeks left to go, that I need to be very careful what I say. But I have to say it was extremely kind of them to say all those things about me and I think they were very much undeserved but it has been very much a privilege for me to work with Elected Members and yourself, Mr. Speaker, in this House.

This has been the first and only time in my life I have been referred to as Honourable. It’s also the first time I have been referred to as the "Beast of Bromley." And, I very much enjoy working with Members on the increasingly complex business of Government. But it has been a sort of working friendship. It’s been very much a delight to work with you. I think of you always as friends and we have an honesty here that is entirely two-way.

I think I need to pay complement on the difficulties that you face on the very, very complex material that is thrown at you. The Hon. Cllr. Cockwell made the point about all this volume of stuff coming out of the office. I am absolutely guilty. It is completely true. How you manage it, how you get through it is a total mystery to me because I find it difficult enough. You guys are not full time but probably you imagine you are and probably work more than full time.

And, I think, as a group, you’ve had enormous challenges and you’ve always managed to take decisions – difficult decisions – as a group, on very complex matters. And, I think that the decisions that you have taken and all the things that I’ve seen have showed enormous foresight and enormous prudence. I think it’s an extremely mature House here and it bodes well for the democracy in the Islands.

Government business has become more complex. I look at all these bills that are moved today, which I struggled through with the Attorney General’s help and I think it is probably 100 bills that I moved in the past three years – probably a bit more. Which were my favourites? Well, there was the Dogs Fouling of Land Bill 2000, the Grass Fires Bill, the Animal and Food Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, which the Honourable Michael Summers ensured that I Chaired the Select Committee – I shall constantly thank him for that – and the most oddly termed one, The Interpretation and General Clauses Amendment Bill of 2002. The Members remember that. What did it do? It reintroduced Peat Cutting Monday. But my warmest memories are of the Statute Law Revision Bill of 2002. This is an absolute classic. It was miss-printed as the Statute Bill, if you remember. It was referred to as a Monumental Bill and you groaned at me about that. You remember what that did? It repealed all sorts of old laws – the War Charities Act of 1848, The Conspiracy Act of 1875 and, Heaven save us all, even repealed the 1698 Piracy Act. Where else in the world could I become involved in that sort of business.

When I first came in January 2000, I resolved never to become an expert in inverted commas. I decided that there were lots of those around, except in one thing, perhaps, where I could be an expert and that was in the proper administration of the business of Government. But I have learnt an awful lot. I have learnt particularly about fisheries and about sheep – not a lot, I admit but a bit which no doubt will help me for the future. I think I was particularly privileged to be here in 2002. To be here during the 2002 celebrations which were admirably conducted but an enormous privilege to be here at that time and to be able to take part in numerable briefings to impart my enthusiasm on your behalf, your enthusiasm to visitors.

I thank the Financial Secretary. I have been very well supported by my colleagues in the Civil Service and Civil Servants throughout. And, they are committed to Civil Service to the public – intensely committed to the great majority of them are seized with the need to improve services to the public.

I have enjoyed working with businesses and I have enjoyed working with farmers particularly in the many road shows, which many of you have come out with me. People in Camp particularly, I think, who hope and think the future is now looking brighter than for many years. I know that the future will pose some difficult questions for you and I do think, on the economy and the Constitution, I think you are well prepared to face those questions. I think this is an economy with huge resources. More than that, it has huge potential because it’s driven by a people who will not be daunted by challenge. It’s the spirit here that moves forward.

So, for me, the future Falklands will seem to be bright. I will follow it with very great interest and very great affection. And I wish well to my successor, Chris Simpkins, in whom you have an extremely able Head of Service Chief Executive.

So, I thank you Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members for your friendship and for the opportunity that you have given me and you have given Penny to play a small part in helping to shape that future.

TB: Honourable Members, if you will allow me. May I join you in wishing the Chief Executive all good fortune, both he and Penny. We will miss you.

The House stands adjourned sine die.

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