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House of Assembly Session 2020/2021 406 speeches

July 2, 2021

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

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Session Summary

Simplified for You

This was a ministerial statement session where government ministers updated Parliament on various initiatives. The Premier outlined tourism recovery efforts, highlighting increased hotel occupancy and new cruise opportunities. The Deputy Premier announced planning law amendments to better protect environmental areas while making development approvals faster. The Finance Minister explained why the government needs legal authority to recover unemployment benefit overpayments made during COVID-19's emergency response.

Chamber House of Assembly
Date Jul 2, 2021
Session 2020/2021
Transcript View PDF
Speakers 22
Speeches 406

Key Topics

Tourism recovery plans and new developments including Viking cruise homeporting and Bermudiana Beach projectPlanning law changes to protect conservation areas while streamlining development approvalsUnemployment benefit program validation and debt recovery from COVID-19 overpaymentsGraduation ceremonies for 230 students from Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge AcademyImmigration system reform priorities to modernize laws and improve efficiency

Bills & Motions

Development and Planning Amendment Act 2021 - tabled for future reading (strengthens environmental protections while streamlining approvals)
Public Treasury (Administration and Payments) Amendment and Validation Act 2021 - tabled for future reading (allows government to recover unemployment benefit overpayments)

Notable Moments

The Premier announced work will soon begin on the $10 million Bermudiana Beach hotel development project, expected to open by April 2022
The Finance Minister defended emergency unemployment payments during COVID-19, stating "saving lives had to take precedence over rigid adherence to rules"
The Education Minister celebrated 230 graduates from the public school system, noting their resilience during pandemic disruptions

Debate Transcript

406 speeches from 22 speakers
The Speaker The Speaker Good morning, Members. The House is now in session. Ms . Beale will lead us in prayer. Ms. Beale. PRAYERS [Prayers read by Ms. Kara Beale, Assistant Clerk ]
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Members, the House is now in session. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES [Minutes of 1 8 June 2021]
The Speaker The Speaker The Minutes of the 18th of June have been circulated. Are there any amendments, corrections that are required? There are none. The Minutes will be confirmed as printed. [Minutes of 18 June 2021 confirmed] MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR
The Speaker The Speaker There are none. ANNOUNCEME NTS BY THE SPEAKER OR MEMBER PRESIDING BERMUDA OMBUDSMAN ANNUAL REPORT 2020
The Speaker The Speaker I would just like to announce that I have received the Bermuda Ombudsman Annual Report 2020. This report has been submitted in compliance with section 24(1) and 24(3) of the Ombudsman Act 2004. That is the only announcement this morning from the Speaker. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
The Speaker The Speaker There are none. PAPERS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE HOUSE
The Speaker The Speaker There are none. PETITIONS
The Speaker The Speaker There are none. STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS AND JUNIOR MINISTERS
The Speaker The Speaker There are some seven Statements this morning. The first is in the name of the Premier. Premier, would you like to present your Statement at this time? Hon. E. David Burt: Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. MOVING BERMUDA’S TOURISM BEYOND THE PANDEMIC Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if we were ever in any doubt as to the importance of tourism to this economy, the pandemic has shown just how critical tourism jobs are and the importance of economic activity …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Mr. Premier. The next Statement on the Order Paper this morning is in the name of the Deputy Premier. Deputy Premier, would you like to present your Statement at this time? Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes, Mr. Speaker, and good morning to you, Honourable Members and the liste …
The Speaker The Speaker Good morning, and you can go ahead. DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING ACT 2021 Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, later today I will table the Bill entitled the Development and Planning Amendment Act 2021 , which seeks to amend the D evelopment and Planning Act 1974 to (1) increase the protections …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy Premier. The next Statement this morning is in the name of the Minister of Finance. Minister, would you like to present your Statement at this point? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinso n: If it pleases you, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead, Minister. PUBLIC TREASURY (ADMINISTRATION AND PAYMENTS) AMENDMENT AND VALIDATION ACT 2021 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to advise Honourable Members of the tabling today of the Public Treasury (Administration and Payments) Amendment and Validation Act 2021 . The amendments provide the Government with …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. The next Statement this morning is in the name of the Minister of Education. Minister, would you like to present yo ur Statement at this time? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: If it pleases you, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead, Minister. 2021 SENIOR SCHOOL GRADUATIONS Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you. Mr. Speaker, this week Monday and Wednesday, June 28 and 30, respectively, I had the pleasure of attending both the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy graduations . While the pandemic may have changed the l …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Minister, I believe you have a second Stat ement. Would you like to present that now? 1668 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: And I am sure this one pleases you as well.
The Speaker The Speaker Go righ t ahead, Minister. SUMMER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR EDUCATORS Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise to share with my honourable colleagues and the community at large the summer professional learning activities that the Department of Education has planned for educators during the months …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. The next Statement this morning is in the name of the Minister of Labour. Minister Hayward, would you like to present your Statement now? Hon. Jason Hayward: Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. IMMIGRATION REFORM STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform this Honourable House of the Government’s plans for immigration reform which seek to modernise the cou ntry’s immigration laws and supporting policies, and create operational efficiencies through process i mprovement. Immigration reform initiatives consist of …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. The last Statement we have this morning is in the name of the Minister of Works. Minister would you like to present your Stat ement at this time?
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker, I was trying to sort out my video.
The Speaker The Speaker You had it on; it is going off again. There you go. Continue. SUMMER WATER SHORTAGE
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I would li ke to take this opportunity to pr ovide an update on the state of the government water supply and distribution as we enter a period of high demand this summ er. The Bermuda Weather Service indicates that rainfall in Bermuda for the last …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. And now, Members, that br ings us to a close of the Statements for this morning. We now move on to the next item on the Order Paper. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
The Speaker The Speaker There are none. QUESTION PERIOD
The Speaker The Speaker Members, we have both written questions and the questions from St atements given this morning. We will note the time is 11:10. The first series this morning are the written questions, and the first written question is from MP Dunkley to Minister Wilson. There are three questions; however, each is …
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Thank you. We will move on to the next set of questions, again from MP Dunkley to the Minister of Healt h. And those questions are for oral response. MP Dunkley, would you like to put your first question? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes. Good morning, Mr. Speaker, and …
The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. QUESTION 1: TRAVEL AUTHORI SATION FOR M (TAF) Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: The question to the Honourable Minister Wilson: Since the inception of the Travel Authori sation Form (TAF) , will the Honourable Minister please provide this Honourable House the total amount of revenue collected every month up …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: For the month of July 2020, there were 3,766 travel authorisations. T he revenue generated was $234,693.14. For August 2020, there were 7,202 travel authorisations; revenue, $440,970. September 2020, there were 6,223 travel authorisations, $398,288.25 in revenue. October 2020, there were 8,248 travel …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Are there supplementaries? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Just can the Honourable Minister repeat the total revenue? Because she star ted out at five thousand. I think it was meant to be five million. The last figure. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, $5,427,487.23.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. 1674 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Do you have a supplementary? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Okay. Thank you for that, Mr. Speaker. No supplementaries on that question.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Would you like to put your second question? [Crosstalk ]
The Speaker The Speaker Hold on, hold on. Is someone indicating they have a supplementary? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes.
The Speaker The Speaker Opposition Leader. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes. Can you tell us —
The Speaker The Speaker Put your supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I am. Can you tell us where the $5.4 million in rev enue is currently held?
The Speaker The Speaker Your volume was a little low, so I am just going to assist. Are you asking her, the revenue that was raised, where is it held? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: That is correct. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, the funds are deposited into the Consolidated Fund.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Supplementary? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes.
The Speaker The Speaker Second supplementary. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Have we actually recovered the total amount of $5.4 million? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: My understanding is that is correct, that the $75 travel authorisation [fee] is due and payable upon completion of the travel authorisation.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Those are your two supplementaries, Oppos ition Leader. Does any other Member have a supplementary? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, Mr. Speaker. I do have one supplementary.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Put your supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: To the Honourable Mini ster: Does the Government track the number of travel authorisation forms that are submitted in error and not approved?
The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I do not have that information. I believe they do, but I cannot confirm. I do not have that in front of me, but I can report that back to the Honourable Member. I believe it is tracked, but I would have to confirm that. …
The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Second supp lementary, Mr. Speaker. Have there been any Bermudians who have been stopped at the border because they did not submit a travel authorisation form? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, that is obviously a matter within the public domain. There were some …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Any further supplementaries?
Mr. Scott Pearman Supplementary, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker MP Pearman, put your supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARIES
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you. Learned and Honourable Minister, the $5.4 million figure, w ould that include the $75 fee for the forms? Or would that include also any fines that might have been levied in the event that people were traveling without forms? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: That fee represents the amount …
Mr. Scott Pearman Second supplementary.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Bermuda House of Assembly Second supplementary.
Mr. Scott Pearman To understand that, any penalties that were applied would be in a separate number and not contained in that number, correct? Hon. Ki m N. Wilson: Correct. However, I will note that there have been no penalties applied with respect to persons who have not supplied their travel author isations.
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Honourable Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Does any other person have a supplementary for this question, any other Member? There are none. MP Dunkley, would you like to put your sec ond question? QUESTION 2: TRAVEL AUTHORI SATION FORM (TAF) Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Honourable Minister please provide …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Supplementary? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a clarification. The last amount was for April of $53,000? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes. The last amount was April 2021 invoice 1806, total $53,610.60. The other months are being reconciled, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Supplementary? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, supplementary question, Mr. Sp eaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Those monthly amounts, whom are they to and what are they in connection with? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, those monthly amounts and whom are they in connection to are with respect to Question 3. So I can answer them again and then repeat …
The Speaker The Speaker MP Dunkley, be mindful that your supplementary actually is part of your third question. So you can just do it under your thi rd question. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, Mr. Speaker. We can do that. But colleagues might have a supplementary.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Does anyone have a suppl ementary on this second question? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I do, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Opposition Leader, put your question. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Can the Minister provide a summary of the terms of the service agreement for the suppliers paid?
The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, the summary of the contracts with respect to the terms are contained in the answers with respect to item number 3. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Okay. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: If you want me to repeat them twice, I am fine to …
The Speaker The Speaker We can leave it all on three, and get one open atmosphere of it . Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I am comfortable with that.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Any further supplementaries? There are none. MP Dunkley, would you like to put your third question now? 1676 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly QUESTION 3: TRAVEL AUTHORI SATION FORM (TAF) Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Honourable Minister please provide …
The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, as for the name and the address of the company and the individuals, and address, Denis Pitcher, address 31 Victoria Street, Ham ilton, Bermuda HM 10; Melvin George, address 31 Victoria Street, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 10; Sean Pitcher, address 31 Victoria Street, Hami …
Mr. Speaker Travel authorisation system. This function allows travellers coming to Bermuda to apply for a travel authorisation, for the applications to be vetted by health staff, and for approved travellers to be emailed a travel authorisation document. The web portal for the inbound passengers allows them to register for a travel …
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Sorry, Mr. Speaker. And the total compensation w ith respect to resPartner Ltd. is $550,240.29.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Are there any supplementaries? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, supplementary, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Put your supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: How long is the current contract with resPartner Ltd.? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I do not have that information in front of me. I believe it has transferred to a month- tomonth [contract]. And we are going through the RFP [request for …
Mr. Speaker. The Speaker Mm-hmm. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: How is compensation determined? Is it a set fee percentage of travellers? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Compensation is determined per booking. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: And how much per booking, Mr. Speaker? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I will have to get that information and revert …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you. I appreciate it, Minister.
The Speaker The Speaker Does any other Member have suppl ementaries? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: No. They have been a nswered.
Ms. Susan E. Jackson I have one supplementary,
Mr. Speaker. The S peaker Continue, MP Jackson. SUPPLEMENTARY
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Thank you, just a quick question. I am wondering if the Minister might be able to tell us how many employees are currently working at resQ west? Like, how large is the team? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I do not have that information,
Mr. Speaker. The Speaker Okay.
The Speaker The Speaker Any other? There are none. That brings us to an end of the written questions today. We will now move on to the questions that have been generated from the Statements given this morning. Each Minister has questions from their Stat ements. We will begin with the Premier. [Crosstalk] Hon. …
The Speaker The Speaker Just one minute. The Premier has been called away for a matter, and I was just trying to get acknowledgment if he was back yet. He is not back yet. Let me go on to the other Statements, and we will come back to the Premier’s Statement. Okay? Hon. N. …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Deputy Premi er, your Statement this morning was in reference to the Planning Act, you have two Members who wish to ask questions. The first is MP Pearman. MP Pearman, would you like to put your question? QUESTION 1: DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING ACT 2021
Mr. Scott Pearm an Thank you. Honourable Deputy Premier, in your Stat ement today you identified three categories, three topics in relation to the new legislation. One was about protecting conservation areas. Another was special development orders. On the issue of protec ting co nservation areas first, what is the process by which re …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Deputy Premier. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, thank you for the question. That process is currently being prepared and will certainly be underpinned going forward under the legislation in perhaps regulations. [Crosstalk] Hon. Walter H. Roban: So the pages will be made available, obviously, for public viewing.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Supplementary?
Mr. Scott Pearman Supplementary.
The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead. SUPPLEMENTARY
Mr. Scott Pearman Honourable Minister, will those regulations or guidance be available prior to the de-bating of the Bill in two weeks’ time so that we know what the Bill is effectively going to have in terms of practical outcome ramifications? Hon. Walter H. Roban: The answer is yes.
Mr. Scott Pearman I am grateful.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Any further supplementaries? None. Do you have a second question?
Mr. Scott Pearman I have a second question, please, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Put your question. 1678 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly QUESTION 2: DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING ACT 2021
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you. Honourable Minister, on the other issue, the SDOs, the suggestion is that this process will be expedited. Do you agree with me that the proposal may—will result in a reduction of parliamentary oversight in respect of SDOs?
The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. W alter H. Roban: No. Because I believe that it is more important for public oversight of SDOs. And one thing is very clear by what I said in my Statement, that an application or submission for an SDO will still be preceded by the need for an …
The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary?
Mr. Scott Pearman Supplementary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Yes. SUPPLEMENTARIES
Mr. Scott Pearman Honourable Deputy Premier, are you aware of any specific SDOs that are coming down the pipeline which would fall into this new category of approach? Hon. Walter H. Roban: I can honestly say that no one has submitted any official request for [a] SDO to my Ministry at this time.
Mr. Scott Pearman Supplementary?
The Speaker The Speaker Second supp. Go ahead.
Mr. Scott Pearman Honourable Minister, has anyone submitted any unofficial requests to your Ministry at this time, given your answer? Hon. Walter H. Roban: No.
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you.
The Speaker The Speaker Would you like to put a third question, MP Pearman? Mr. Scott Pearman: No, thank you, Mr. Speaker, not from me. No.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you.
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary.
The Speaker The Speaker A supplementary? Okay. SUPPLEMENTARIES
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Yes. So when it comes to, let us say a special development order, what is going to be the public recourse in the even t that the Minister in charge and the appeal process —I mean, what is the recourse for an objector? Where can they escalate to if there …
The Speaker The Speaker Oh, oh, go ahead. Go ahead, Minister. Hon. Walter H. Roban: I do not want to speak before you give me permission to speak, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Move right ahead, Minister. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, I think the Honourable Member is delving into the details that would be more preferably given more flesh during the debate of the actual Bill. So I would actually defer. And if that is permissible, Mr. Speaker, that is a …
The Speaker The Speaker Are you comfortable with that answer, MP?
Ms. Susan E. Jackson I can wait. But I have one other supplementary to that.
The Speaker The Speaker Put your second supplementary then.
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Would it be that any r ecourse, et cetera, would be a part of the regulations that will be tabled? Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes. All processes related to the process of the SDO will be clearly outlined in the new legislation. Public scrutiny will cer tainly be affor ded, …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Any further supplementaries? No further supplementary. Minister, you also have another MP who has questions for you on this Statement. MP Dunkley, would you like to put your question? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, no, I did not have it for the Deputy Premier. It was for …
The Speaker The Speaker Oh, okay. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker All right. Noted. Okay. Thank you. We now move on to the Statement by the Minister of Finance. And, Minister of Finance, you have two Members who have indicated they have questions for you this morning. The first is the Oppos ition Leader. Opposition Leader, would you li ke to …
The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: No. [Laughter]
The Speaker The Speaker Do you have a supplementary? Su pplementary? SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. N. H. Cole Simo ns: When can the Minister pr ovide that information?
The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Perhaps at the next sitting of the House.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. The Minister has given an undertaking that he will see if he can have it available for the next sitting. Are there any further supplementaries? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes, supplementary.
The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Put your supplementary. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Will the Minister confirm the number of payments made before the new and amended regulat ions were brought into force?
The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I would ask the Honourable Opposition Leader to provide clarity on which amended regulations he is speaking about because regulations [INAUDIBLE] several times. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Mr. Speaker, I am referring to the last sentence on page 3 of his Statement, …
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. You have used both of your supplementaries. Does any other Member have a supplementary?
Mr. Scott Pearman Yes, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Would you like to put your supplem entary? SUPPLEMENTARIES
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you. Honourable Minister, you have mentioned that there are 10,000 people who have received the unemployment benefit and that there have been mistaken overpayments. Are you able to give percentages in terms of those 10,000 people or gross figures as to how many people were overpaid by one or …
The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Opposition Leader, I think your conversation is bleeding in.
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Honourable Minister. I can hear you. You can continue. Thank you. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: To date, 300 people have provided a refund to the government of approximately $500,000. So the amount that is outstanding with respect to the overall programme is about 5 per cent.
Mr. Scott Pearman Supplementary, Mr. Speaker?
The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary, yes.
Mr. Scott Pearman Minister of Finance, I will defer to your math. But does that mean about $3 million is outstanding and uncollected, roughly? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Yes, $3.5 million less $0.5 million is $3.0 million.
Mr. Scott Pearman I am grateful.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Any further supplementaries? SUPPLEMENTARY
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Yes, Mr. Speaker. I hav e a supplementary. So how much of that has been recovered so far?
The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I just answered that.
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Oh. Sorry. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I just answered that question.
The Speaker The Speaker You said a million, was it? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: No, $500,000.
The Speaker The Speaker It is $500,000. Ms. Susan E. Jackson: Thank you.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. No further supplementaries on that? Opposition Leader, would you like to put your second question? QUESTION 2: PUBLIC TREASURY (ADMINISTRATION AND PAYMENTS) AMENDMENT AND VALIDATION ACT 2021 Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you. The Minister indicated that there were new processes implemented and developed to ensure that there …
The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickin son: We proactively, at some point in the middle of 2020, engaged PwC [Pricew aterhouseCoopers] to do an audit of our processes and the controls in place. We later, in the second phase of the programme, decided to change the way in which people verified …
The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Supplementary, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Put your supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: The Honourable Minister mentioned an outside entity doing an audit. What was the cost of that audit? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: It might have been $20,000, if t hat much. Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Any further supplementaries? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I had a supplemental, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Continue. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: The Minister indicated in the first paragraph of his presentation that there was a legislative mechanism to offset funds owed arising from benefits paid against future payments. Is there a mechanism in place whereby the individual involved has to approve or sign off …
The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Not that I am aware of, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Another supplementary? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: So individuals can have the offset without providing approval, is what the Minister is saying ? [Pause] Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I think that is what “I am not aware of ” means. What we have done, Mr. Speaker, …
Mr. Scott Pearman Supplementary?
The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary, MP Pearman. SUPPLEMENTARIES
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Honourable Minister of Finance, in terms of the term “benefits” that th e repayments are going to be sought from individuals, which benefits will be they be clawed back from? Are they just future unemplo yment benefits, or would they be clawed back from any government …
The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Primarily unemployment benefits. We are not contemplating affecting other benefits that persons might need.
Mr. Scott Pearman Second supplementary, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead.
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you. Honourable Minister, in terms of the clawback (if I can use that expression) will the government apply needs -testing to that recovery of money? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned before, we endeavour to work with people to recover the funds that were overpaid. It …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Any further supplementary? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Supplementary, Mr. Speaker, yes.
The Speaker The Speaker Put your supplementary. 1682 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, in regard to the recovery, what parameters has the Government provided those who are faced with the task of reac hing out and trying to recover the money? What …
The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: The discretion with respect to grace is mine. And at this point the team has not been very active in terms of the remaining cases that are outstanding. I think we have suspended the calls on this effort, you know, in trying to focus on …
The Speaker The Speaker Your second supplementary? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, final supplementary, Mr. Speaker. In regard to this process, am I correct, Mini ster, in assuming that every benefit payment will have to be reviewed to make sure it was done in the proper way? Or if not, ratified in the proper …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does anyone else have a supplementary? There are none. Opposition Leader, do you have a third question? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I am done, thank you.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Minister, the other Member who indicated he had questions for you was MP Dunkley. MP, do you still wish to put questions, or did your supplementary cover it? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: We covered it, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Minister. The S peaker: No problem. We will …
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning, Minister. Yes, I am just curious when and to how many grade levels will these concepts be introduced? The Spe aker: Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I am not sure . . . what does she mean by “concepts”? I spoke to …
Ms. Susan E. Jackson So that would be all schools, all students at that level? Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The idea is we have to start somewhere. So t he idea is that eventually we will move to the Blended Learning module throughout the Bermuda Public School System. This …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. A supplementary? SUPPLEMENTARY
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Yes, I have a supplementary. The Minister has just mentioned “integrated.” Are these programmes going to be integrated into the existing curricul um? Or is this something that will be integrated or a part of the introduction of these . . . part of the transformation and the new curriculum? …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Further supplementary?
Ms. Susan E. Jackson No. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am done.
The Speaker The Speaker Do you have a second question?
Ms. Susan E. Jackson No second question.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Thank you. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, MP Jackson. I appreciate your [INAUDIBL E].
The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Okay. We will now move on. I see that the Premier is back at his desk. We can go back to the questions for the Premier. Premier, MP Dunkley has a question for you on your Statement this morning. Would you like to put your question, MP? Hon. Michael …
The Speaker The Speaker No, he did not. It was just you. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes, I had one too, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Oh. Sorry. The Clerk: Right at the top, the very first —
The Speaker The Speaker Yes, yes. It is noted there. Yes, okay. Opposition Leader, would you like to put your question? QUESTION 1: MOVING BERMUDA’S TOURISM BEYOND THE PANDEMIC Hon. N. H. Col e Simons: Thank you. Mr. Premier, you touched on Fairmont Sout hampton. It is my understanding that Fairmont Sout hampton has …
The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Yes. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you. I thank the Honour able Opposition Leader for his question. At this point in time the Fairmont Southam pton is targeting the commencement of their oper ations, if all finance is able to be done, in September. And we will not be …
The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary? 1684 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Can the Premier provide more details and an update on the Fairmont redevel-opment plan? [Crosstalk ] Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Somebody is in there, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Yes. We just muted them. Go ahead, Opposition Leader. Put your supplemen tary. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Can the Premier provide details and an update on Fairmont Southampton’s development plan? I know he just touched on it. But does he have any more information that he could share with …
The Speaker The Speaker Premi er. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you. I am not entirely certain what details the Ho nourable Opposition Leader is asking for. I think that those statements have been made in public, that the Government continues to work [with] and tries to su pport the work and efforts of …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Supplementary? Second supplementary? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes, supplementary.
The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: As this is a designated quarantine site until September, based on the Premier’s comments, what type of remuneration pr ogramme does the Government have with the owners of this property in regard to its being used as a quarantine site? Hon. E. David Burt: …
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. So no further ques tions at all? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Not from me.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. MP Dunkley, would you like to put your question? QUESTION 1: MOVING BERMUDA’S TOURISM BEYOND THE PANDEMIC Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Honourable Premier : Honourable Premier, on your second page, I believe it is the third paragraph, you read, “ Mr. Speaker, since …
The Speaker The Speaker Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: The answer is no. The Revolve event was not a hosted event. (It was a clever one there by the Honourable [Member].) What we are talking about is certainly the fact that we were able to host the first in -person golf tournament event last …
The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Yes. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: As the company mentioned has high- profile people with them, traveling with them and their exposure goes worldwide, was the BTA [Bermuda Tourism Authority] aware, supportive of or …
The Speaker The Speaker Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I can refer the Honourable Member to the public statements which were made by the Bermuda Tourism Authority. I can-not necessarily speak . . . but if the Honourable Member wishes to ask a specific question on that, I am happy to go …
The Speaker The Speaker Yes. I think that basically the answer was that it is in the public knowledge, in short form? Is that basically what you are saying, Premier? Hon. E. David Burt: I said that t he Honourable Member can refer to the statements which have been r eleased from the Bermuda …
The Speaker The Speaker Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: Was I aware that Revolve was coming to Bermuda? Absolutely.
The Speaker The Speaker Those are your two supp lementaries on that question. Do you have a second question? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Second question, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Yes. QUESTION 2: MOVING BERMUDA’S TOURISM BEYOND THE PANDEMIC Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: If the Premier was aware that Revolve was coming to Bermuda, why …
The Speaker The Speaker Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I think that you would be making an assumption. That is not correct to say that, why precautions were not put in place, b ecause clearly precautions and things were issued by the Ministry of National Security. The Honourable Member would be aware …
The Speaker The Speaker Well, just for clarity, it is not necessarily political mischief. He is just asking a question. Ever ybody is entitled to ask a question. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. S peaker, I will just say this —
The Speaker The Speaker But you gave him his answer, and you put it in context. And we will accept that. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, Standing Orders require that questions be related to the Statement. And there was nothing in this Statement in regard to anything of which he is speaking about. …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. 1686 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker —
The Speaker The Speaker Hold on one second. MP Swan, I keep muting you, and you keep turning your microphone b ack on. Do you want to put a question? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Perhaps he wants to put in a question.
The Speaker The Speaker MP Swan? Okay, I am muting you. Please keep your microphone off.
Mr. Scott Pearman Supplementary, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary, MP Pearman?
The Speaker The Speaker Yes. SUPPLEMENTARIES
Mr. Scott Pearman The Honourable Premier has told the Honourable House that he was aware of the Revolve event. Could the Honourable Premier also tell this Honourable House approximately when he b ecame aware of the Revolve event; more specifically, was it on the day itself when he posted his tweets? Or was …
The Speaker The Speaker Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time that Revolve has been to Bermuda sponsored by the Bermuda Tourism Authority. Revolve has been to Bermuda. And when the Honourable Member is sa ying “the Revolve event,” a series of events were held by Revolve which …
Mr. Scott Pearman Supplementary. The Sp eaker: Yes, second supplementary?
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not believe the Honourable Premier answered the ques-tion posed, although he tap- danced around it very well. Honourable Premier, would you like to answer the question as to when you became involved and aware? Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I do not know …
Mr. Scott Pearman Supplementary, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker You had your two supplementaries.
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Are there any other Members with a supplementary? There are none. Thank you, Premier, for responding. We will now go back to the Statements that have questions this morning. And that takes us to the Minister of Labour. Minister of Labour, you have questions this morning on your Statement from …
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Honourable Minister. Honourable Minister, in your Statement today on page 5, you said that “the Ministry of Labour will continue its work to use immigration as a lever to support the local economy.” Lest it be said that the Oppo-sition is always here to …
The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I thank the O pposition for their support. And there are four priorities of equal importance.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Supplementary?
Mr. Scott Pearman No supplementary from me. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. No supplementary from anyone? Thank you. We now move on to the last Statement this morning, which was given by the Minister of Works. Minister of Works, you have a question this morning from the Opposition Leader. Opposition Leader, would you like to put your question to the Minister? …
The Speaker The Speaker Minister.
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker, I do not have that informat ion before me. But I am sure it is readily available, and I will get it.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Member, the Minister has made an indication that he can get it to you at a different sitting. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Okay. Supplemental.
The Speaker The Speaker Supplemental? Yes. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: How much does the government charge for each load of water that a trucker takes from our station?
The Speaker The Speaker I do not know if that was in the Stat ement. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: No, I do not see the cost . [Crosstalk and laughter]
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch I do not know the answer to that either. But I am sure I could get that a nswer before this session ends. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you very much. I will yield until he gets the answers, Mr. S peaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Any supplementaries from any other Member? No supplementary. That brings us to a close of the question- andanswer period, and we are three minutes short of the allotted 60 minutes. Thank you. We will now move on. CONGR ATULATORY AND/OR OBITUARY SPEECHES
The Speaker The Speaker Would any Member like to make a contribution at this time? Some Hon. Members: Yes, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker That sounds like MP Foggo.
Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo Yes, it is, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker MP Fogg o, you have your three minutes.
Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to give condolences for Mr. Andre Minors. Gone too soon, a young man, a constituent of mine down in St. David’s here. And I just want condolences to g o out to his family and the community, who will greatly miss …
The Speaker The Speaker Can you speak up just a little bit, MP?
Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo Sure. I would also like to give congratulatory remarks, and I will keep them very brief because I am sure the Minister of Education will have far more in- depth comments to make for the graduates in general of Cedar Bridge and Berkeley, but in particular (I have to be …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP. 1688 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Would any other Member like to make a contribution at this time?
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. Members Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker It sounds like the Minister of Education wants to follow those last comments, so I am going to acknowledge the Minister of Education. You have your three minutes. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will try to be very quick because I have quite a bit. …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Some Hon. Members: Yes, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker MP Lister, I think I heard you before and I hear you again. Go ahead. You have your three minutes.
Mr. Dennis Lister III Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to start off on a sad note, Mr. Speaker, by sending condolences to the family of Mr. Ra-Che Williams, who last week passed from a road traffic collision. So I would like to send condolences to his family.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. Members Associate me, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker The other Members have asked to be associated. Continue.
Mr. Dennis Lister III Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to associate with the comments from both previous speakers in congratulatory remarks to all graduates of all levels, primary, pr eschool, middle school and high school. To wish them well in their future endeavours. Also, Mr. Speaker, some celebratory remarks to …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Does any other Member . . . I hear the Opposition Leader. Opposition Leader, would you like to make your contribution at this time? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker You have your three minutes. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I would like to send condolences to a great family who is close to Bermuda who Bermuda House of Assembly lives overseas. Mr. Speaker, as you know, Elliot Mot tley and Amor Mottley were in Bermuda. And their son recently …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Opposition Leader. Would any other Member? I hear the Deputy Speaker. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Yes, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Mr. Deputy Speaker, would you like to have your three minutes now? Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to be associated with the remarks concerning condolences for William “Jimmy Doc” Richardson. William was the nephew of former Senate President Hugh Richardson. …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy Speaker. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution?
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker MP Swan, it looks like I see you on the video, and I hear you coming through there.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. S wan Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I know you like the colours. Mr. Speaker, it is on a sad occasion and note that I bring condolences on the passing of Mr. Calvin [Reginald] “Spryer” Hodsoll from St. George’s, who was very much associated with the Ebenezer Methodist Church.
An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Associate me, please.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan And MP Foggo and Mini ster Ming, I am certain, as they know him and MP Burgess, I am sure. Anybody else who wishes to be as1690 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly sociated would attest to the fact that he was a wellknown and a …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution? Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Sounds like Honourable Premier. Would you like to have your three minutes? Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead, sir. Hon. E. David Burt: I do not believe I will take that long, Mr. Speaker. But, Mr. Speaker, on a sad note you will see that I am wearing green today. Green of course is the colour of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party, Mr. Speaker. But …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I will just ask if I can be associated with the congratulations which have been made to all of our graduating seniors. And certainly I associate with congratulations that were given by the Honourable Member from constituency 2 in regards to the …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons: Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Is that . . . Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons: Yes, it is the Attorney General.
The Speaker The Speaker Oh, yes. Madam Attorney General. I was trying to catch your voice that time. You have your three minutes. Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is wit h sadness today that I would like to acknowledge the passing of [Joycelyn] “Sophie” O’Brien. She was the …
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. Members Associate me, Mr. Speaker. Associate me as well, Mr. Speaker. Can you assoc iate me as well, Mr. Speaker? Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Yes. There are many Members who want to be associated with you, Attorney Gener al. Continue. Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons: Including the Honour able Premier …
The Speaker The Speaker Madam Attorney General, I think you may hear that sound which is the alarm saying that your three minutes have expired. Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Would any other Member like to make a contribution at this time? Some Hon. Members: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Yes.
The Speaker The Speaker Minister Ming, I see you in front of the camera there. Go right ahead. Hon. Renee Ming: Good morning, Mr. Speak er and colleagues and listening audience. First of all, I would like to be associated with the comments for Calvin Hodsoll. Mr. Hodsoll, “Spr yer” as he would be …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Before I acknowledge any other Member, let me just note that it is now 12:30, and there is a committee meeting that is supposed to take place during lunch, which I and other Members have to sit in. If the other Members who want to make a …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Members. The House stands adjourned until 2:00 pm. Proceedings suspended at 12:31 pm Proceedings resumed at 2:00 pm [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair]
The Speaker The Speaker Good afternoon, Members. Members?
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. Members Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Good afternoon. We are back. The House is now resuming after our lunch break. When we broke, we were still on the Condolences and Congratulatory Remarks. Are there any other Members who would like to make a contribution? CONGRATULATORY AND/OR OBITUARY SPEECHES [Continuation thereof]
Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell Mr. Speaker. Tyrrell.
The Speaker The Speaker Mr. Tyrrell, MP Tyrrell?
Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell Yes, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Yes, MP Tyrrell, you have your three minutes.
Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker , earlier —
The Speaker The Speaker If I can ask you to adjust yourself closer to the microphone?
Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell Okay. Earlier, as I s aid, many of my colleagues made reference to graduations in Bermuda being very special, especially this year with our students having to (I will use the word) “suffer” under COVID -19 reg ulations and things like that. I thought it necessary to single out three …
Mr. Speaker. The Speaker Thank you, Mr. Tyrrell. Would any other Member like to make a contribution at this time?
Mrs. Ianthia Simmons -Wade Yes, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker That sounds like MP Simmons -Wade.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay, MP, you have your three minutes.
Mrs. Ianthia Simmons -Wade Thank you. I would like to give my condolences to Rev. Dr. Arnold Hollis on the death of his wife, Janice Hollis, as well as to their th ree daughters. Ms. Hollis moved to Bermuda many, many years ago to support her husband at St. James Church. She was really …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Any other Member?
Mr. Vance Campbell Yes, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Yes. MP Campbell, you have your three minutes.
Mr. Vance Campbell Mr. Speaker, forgive me if these have already been raised because I am joining late, unavoidably. First of all, I would like congratulatory remarks to go out to Mr. Johnny Campbel l for graduating with the 2021 class at Berkeley Institute. He happens to be very close to me, he …
The Speaker The Speaker No, continue on.
Mr. Vance Campbell She was the wife of the late Patro Ford and the mother of Gaynell HaywardCaesar, John “Buddy” Ford, Russ Ford, Patrice Ford - Smith, Melony Ford- Douglas, and the late Patro “T ony” Ford. Many of us will remember her when she owned the Ford’s New World Bakery over on …
Mr. Vance Campbell So done, sir. And lastly, condolences go out to the family of Carlton “Pluke” Smith. He was a past president and captain of the Cleveland County Cricket Club and also a very keen coach and had a strong interest in the youth. And I would like condolences to be sent …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Mem ber. Does any other Honourable Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Any other Member? No other Member? Before we move on, I would just like to add a couple of comments as well. And I will start where the last Member just ended …
The Speaker The Speaker There are none. PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS
The Speaker The Speaker There are none. NOTICE OF MOTIONS FOR THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE ON MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
The Speaker The Speaker There are none. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS GOVERNMENT BILLS
The Speaker The Speaker We have two Bills that will be intr oduced at this time, and I believe adjustments are being made for a later Bill to be introduced under the suspension of the [Standing Orders]. But the two Bills that are on the Or der Paper will be introduced at this time. …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy Premier. And the next Bill at this time is in the name of the Minister of Finance. Minister of Finance. BILL FIRST READING PUBLIC TREASURY (ADMINISTRATION AND PAYMENTS) AMENDMENT AND VALIDATION ACT 2021 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Mini ster. OPPOSITION BILLS
The Speaker The Speaker There are none. PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILLS
The Speaker The Speaker There are none. NOTICE OF MOTIONS
The Speaker The Speaker There are none. ORDERS OF THE DAY
The Speaker The Speaker The first item for today is the second reading of the Debt Collect ion Amendment Act 2021 in the name of the Minister of Home Affairs. Minister. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the Bill entitled the Debt Collection Amendment Act 2021 be now read …
The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objec tions to that? There are none. Continue, Minister. BILL SECOND READING DEBT COLLECTION AMENDMENT ACT 2021 Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, I rise to intr oduce the second reading of the Bill entitled Debt Co llection Amendment Act 2021. The [purpose] of the following proposed …
Mr. Scott P earman Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker MP Pearman?
Mr. Scott Pearman Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker MP Pearman, you have the floor.
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Deputy Premier and Honourable Mi nister for his brief presentation to the House. This is a slightly odd bit of legislation in that it seeks to amend a primary Bill that we debated and put into place in 2018, which is …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP Pearman. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at thi s time? There are none. Minister. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I will briefly address the comments made by the Honourable Member in relation to this particular piece of legislation, …
Mr. Scott Pearman Point of order, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Walter H. Roban: So, with that Mr. Speaker —
Mr. Scott Pearman Point of order, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Walter H. Roban: —I am —
Mr. Scott Pearman Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker There is a point of order. Let us take a point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mr. Scott Pearman Yes, the Honourable Minister has twice now said that they are granting an “exte nsion” and I believe he is misleading the House, al though perhaps unintentionally. The language of the amendment contains an “exemption” —that is [clause] 2 [inserting new section 15(6A) —it is exempt from providing. So, could …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister, did you hear the point of order? Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes, I heard the point of order. If the Honourable Member wants to play s emantics with words, that is fine, Mr. Speaker. I appr eciate the preciseness of the language used in the amending Act, …
Mr. Scott Pearman Point of order, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Walter H. Roban: —we are legally creating an opportunity for them to deal with the situation in an easier way.
The Speaker The Speaker Point o f order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mr. Scott Pearman Point of order, Mr. Speaker. The Honourable Minister is misleading the House. I am not dealing with semantics of words. There is a fundamental difference between exempting someone from having to do something, which means they do not have to do it, and extending the time for someone to do …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes, again, Mr. Speaker, I am only going to deal with this point here because I would like to move on and make sure this Bill is properly handled. Certainly the Honourable Member who is learned and perhaps understands company matters, understands that …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Deputy Speaker. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House in Committee at 2:29 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL DEBT COLLECTION AMENDMENT ACT 2021
The Chairman Chairman Honourable Members, we are now in Committee of the whole [House] for further consider ation of the Bill entitled Debt Collection Amendment Act 2021 . Minister Roban, you have the floor. [Pause] Hon. Walter H. Roban: Hello, Mr. Chairman, sorry for that minor delay.
The Chairman Chairman Yes, continue. Hon. Walter H. Roban: If you will oblige, Mr. Chai rman, may I begin my presentation in the clause by clause?
The Chairman Chairman Certainly. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Chairman, the Bill seeks to amend the Debt Collection Act 2018 to exempt debt collectors licensed under the Act in the year 2020 from the requirement to submit their audited annual financial statements for the year 2020 to the Debt Co llection Authority. The …
The Chairman Chairman Thank you, Minister. Are there any further speakers? [Pause] 1698 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Are there any further speakers?
Mr. Scott Pearman Nothing from me, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much.
The Chairman Chairman Thank you, Honourable Member, Mr. Pearman. Minister, do you want to finish, continue? Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes, Mr. Chairman. May I now move the appropriate clauses?
The Chairman Chairman Yes. Hon. Walter H. Roban: I would like to move the clauses of the Bill, clauses 1 and 2 of the Bill.
The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 1 and 2 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Clauses 1 and 2 are approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 1 and 2 passed.] Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Chairman, I move that the preamble be approved.
The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the preambl e be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Chairman, I move that the Bill be reported to the House as printed.
The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the Bill be reported to the House as printed. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. The Bill will be reported to the House as printed. Thank you, Honourable Minister and all. [Motion carried: The Debt Collection Amendment Act 2021 was …
The Chairman Chairman Mr. Speaker. House resumed at 2:33 pm [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair] REPORT OF COMMITTEE DEBT COLLECTION AMENDMENT ACT 2021
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy. Members, are there any objections to the Bill entitled the Debt Collection Amendment Act 2021 b eing reported to the House as printed? There are none. The Bill has been reported as printed. Thank you, Members. That brings us to a conclusion of that item. We now …
The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections? There are none. Continue, Minister. BILL SECOND READING EDUCATION AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2021 Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present to this House a short B ill entitled the Education Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021. The Bill proposes minor amendments …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Ms. Susan E. Jackson: Yes, Mr. Speaker, I would like to.
The Speaker The Speaker MP Jackson, you have the floor.
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Mr. Speaker, I do not know if this is a strange request, but could the Minister just repeat the last couple of sentences of his brief?
The Speaker The Speaker Yes, let me assist you. Minister, there was a problem. You were fading out towards the end and we were struggling to hear some of those last pieces of it. So, if you would just—to assist —if you could repeat it? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Okay. I will start …
The Speaker The Speaker That is fine. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: From the third amendment. To remove the Board’s function to make recommendations to the Public Service Commission (PSC) regarding the appointment of directors of the Department of Education and principals. Responsibi lity for ma king recommendations to the PSC regarding the appointment …
The Speaker The Speaker We lost you again there, Minister. We lost you altogether. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain : [INAUDIBLE]
The Speaker The Speaker Maybe if you cut your video off . . . if you cut your video off, it may help strengthen your broadband. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Okay. Can you hear me now?
The Speaker The Speaker Yes, we can hear you. Go ahead. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Okay, sorry. So, do you want me to read that part again?
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Just that last —
The Speaker The Speaker Just that very last line, that very last line you were on there. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Okay. I said, this change will remove the onerous and time- consuming responsibilities for recruitment for directors and principals from the Board to allow them to focus on other func-tions. While recruitment …
The Speaker The Speaker Yes, thank you, Minister. MP Jackson, was that helpful?
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Yes, thank you v ery much.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Would you like to go ahead and do your presentation?
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Bermuda House of Assembly So, yes, thank you, Minister for that present ation. It certainly gave some further explanation to the amendments that are on the table for today. But I do have a couple of questions that I would like to present today in hopes …
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Yes. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The point of clarity is the Permanent Secretary —
The Speaker The Speaker MP, allow the Minister to just clarify that for you. POINT OF CLARIFICATION Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I just wanted to clarify that the Permanent Secretary does play a very prominent role in the hiring of the Commissioner of Education, as that would be the direct manager of the …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Continue, MP.
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Thank you, Minister. And thank you, Minister, for validating what it is that . . . my point that I am trying to get across. So, if the Permanent Secretary is involved from, you know, the job description and the actual hi ring to the shortlisting to the transition into …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP. Does any other Honourable Member wish to make a contribution at this time?
Mr. Jason Wade Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker MP Wade?
Mr. Jason Wade Yes, Mr. Speaker, thank you.
The Speaker The Speaker You have the floor.
Mr. Jason Wade Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I apprec iate you allowing me to speak on this today. I will keep it brief, Mr. Speaker, as I only have a few comments that I would like to make in regard to this. Mr. Speaker, it has become very evident to me, and to …
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Jason Wade —and from the—
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Point of order.
Mr. Jason Wade Sure. Sure.
The Speaker The Speaker There is a point of order, just a minute. We take your point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Ms. Susan E. Jackson Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to make sure the Member is not misleading the House. Certainly, that was not the i n-tent that this would be some sort of power grab and the like. I am just simply stating that with the Minister appointing every member of …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you for your clarifying your point of view. MP, just be mindful of what the Member has just indicated.
Mr. Jason Wade I appreciate it. Thank you for that, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day, the ultimate goal is to have an Education Authority in place. That is the ultimate goal. That is what this Go vernment is moving towards. All right? In order to get tha …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? There are none. Minist er. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can you hear me clearly? I kept my video off.
The Speaker The Speaker Yes, I will allow you to continue without the video so we can get a better reception on your audio. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Okay. I just want to thank MP Wade and MP Jackson for their contributions there. 1704 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of …
The Chairman Chairman Honourable Members, we are now in Committee of the whole [House] for further consider ation of the Bill entitled Education Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 . Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to move all four clauses.
The Chairman Chairman Continue, Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, this Bill seeks to amend the Education Act 1996 as it relates to the Board of Education. Clause 1 is self -explanatory. Clause 2 amends section 3 of the principal Act to allow the Permanent Secretary to at tend meetings of …
The Chairman Chairman Minister, are you finished? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes. And Mr. Chairman, I was just waiting . . . there are only four clauses.
The Chairman Chairman Yes. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: That is why I moved all four clauses .
The Chairman Chairman That is fine. Thank you, Minister. Are there any further speakers? [Pause]
The Chairman Chairman Any further speakers? There appear to be none. Minister, do you want to move your clauses? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to move clauses 1 through 4 to be approved.
The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 1 through 4 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 1 through 4 passed.] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, I move that the preamble be approved.
The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the preamble be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairm an, I move that the Bill entitled Education Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 be reported to the House as printed.
The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the Bill, the Education Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021, be reported to the House. Are there any objections to that? The Bill will be reported to the House. Thank you, Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, colleagues. [Motion carried: …
The Chairman Chairman Mr. Speaker. 1706 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly House resumed at 3:15 pm [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair] REPORT OF COMMITTEE EDUCATION AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2021
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy. Members, are there any objections to the E ducation Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 being reported to the House as printed? There are none. It has been reported as printed. That brings us to a close of that item. That now moves us on to the next …
The Speaker The Speaker Good afternoon, Minister. Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: I move that the Bill ent itled the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority Amendment Act 2021 be read now the second time.
The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections to that? There are none. Continue, Minister. BILL SECOND READING BERMUDA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY AMENDMENT ACT 2021 Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The purpose of my statement today is to i ntroduce a Bill designed to allow for the Operating Fund of the …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution?
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Speaker, MP Pearman.
The Speaker The Speaker MP Pearman, you have the floor.
Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My thanks to the Honourable Minister of Transport. He contacted me, together with the PS, about this Bill I think two, possibly three, weeks ago. And I am grateful that he took the trouble to do so. It is always refreshing when the Government is prepared …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP Pearman. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time?
Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker MP Tyrrell, yes.
Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am going to be very, ver y brief. I think the Opposition have indicated support for this, the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority Amendment Bill, because they are two common sense housekeeping amendments in the interests of efficiency. So, I certainly support and thank …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP. Is there any Member who wishes to make a contribution? There are none. Minister. Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, j ust in answering the Oppos ition’s questions, this Act will be looking forward. So, it is not retroactive, it is looking forward …
Mr. Scott Pearman Mr. Speaker, with apologies, I am having a great deal of difficulty hearing the Mini ster.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister, can you adjust your audio? Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: I can try. How is this? Is this better?
The Speaker The Speaker Yes, if you could get closer to your m icrophone it would be good. Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Yes, I am as close as I can get.
Mr. Scott Pearman That is much better. Thank you, Minister. Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Okay, no problem.
The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: So, this, in answer to the first question, this is not retroactive, it is a Bill that will only take effect when it goes into effect. And the second question is that there is no intention that I am currently aware of to have the …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Deputy Speaker. [Pause]
The Speaker The Speaker Deputy Speaker? Here he comes. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Okay, sorry about that; I do not know what happened there.
The Speaker The Speaker No problem, Deputy. It is quite alright. Technology, we understand that. It causes a little hi ccup now and then. You have the floor. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House in Committee at 3:23 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL BERMUDA CIVIL …
The Chairman Chairman Honourable Members, we are now in Committee of the whole [House] for further consider a1708 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly tion of the Bill entitled Bermuda Civil Authority Amendment Act 2021 . Minister Scott, you have the floor. Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Thank you, Mr. …
The Chairman Chairman Continue. Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority Act 2016 to allow for the Operating Fund of the Bermuda Civil Aviation Author ity to be in interest -bearing bank accounts wherever possible, within or outside Bermuda, …
The Chairman Chairman Thank you, Minister. Are there any further speakers?
Mr. Scott Pearman Nothing from me on behalf of the Opposition, Mr. Chair man. Thank you.
The Chairman Chairman Thank you, Honourable Member. Minister, do you want to move those clauses? Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to move clauses 1 through 3.
The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 1 through 3 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 1 through 3 passed.] Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Mr. Chairman, I would move that the preamble be approved.
The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the preamble be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. The preamble is approved. Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Bill be reported to the House as printed.
The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the Bill be reported to the House as printed. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. The Bill will be reported to the House as printed. Thank you, Minister. [Motion carried: The Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority Amendment Act 2021 was considered …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy. Members, are there any objections to the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority Amendment Act 2021 being reported to the House as printed? There are no objections? The Bill has been reported as printed. Members, that brings us to an end of the items that were on the Order …
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. And that will be added to the Orders for the next sitting . . . or it has been tabled, rather, because that is a negative resolution, yes. Thank you, Members. Mr. Premier . . . sorry, before we go to Mr. Premier, Ministers, would you like …
The Speaker The Speaker I will call on the Minister Deputy Premier to do the first. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21 Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes, Mr. Speaker. I wish to move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move the Bill entitled Debt Collection Amendment A ct 2021 be now …
The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections? There are none. Continue, Minister. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING DEBT COLLECTION AMENDMENT ACT 2021 Hon. Walter H. Roban : Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill now be read a third time by its title only and passed.
The Speaker The Speaker The Bill has been read a third time by its title only and is now passed. Thank you, Minister. [Motion carried: The Debt Collection Amendment Act 2021 was read a third time and passed.]
The Speaker The Speaker Minister of Education, would you like to do your third reading? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, am I still clear enough to be heard?
The Speaker The Speaker Yes, we can hear you. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21 Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move the Bill entitled Education Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 be now read for the third time by its title only.
The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections? There are none. Continue, Minister. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING EDUCATION AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2021 Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill now be read for the third time by its title only and passed.
The Speaker The Speaker The Bill has been read a third time by its title only and is now passed. Thank you, Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Motion carried: The Education Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 was read a third time and pas sed.]
The Speaker The Speaker Minister of Transport, would you like to do your third reading? Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Yes, Mr. Speaker.
The Speaker The Speaker Yes, go ahead. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21 Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Mr. Speaker, I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move the Bill entitled Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority Amendment Act 2021 be now read for the third time by its title only.
The Speaker The Speaker Any objections? There are none. Continue, Minister. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING 1710 2 July 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly BERMUDA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY AMENDMENT ACT 2021 Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill be now read a third …
The Speaker The Speaker The Bill has been read a third time by its title only and is now passed. Thank you, Minister. [Motion carried: The Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority Amendment Act 2021 was read a third time and passed.]
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Ministers. Thank you, Members. We are bringing the business of t he day to a conclusion. We now ask the Premier . . . ADJOURNMENT Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, thank you. Mr. Speaker, I move that this Honourable House do now adjourn until Friday, July 16, …
The Speaker The Speaker The 16 th. Thank you, Premier. Does any Member wish to speak to that? There are none. Thank you. The House now stands adjourned. [Gavel] Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak. Mr. Speaker? Hello, Mr. Speaker. Hon. E. David Burt: The House is adjourned.
The Speaker The Speaker I just adjourned the House. Everybody was moving slow. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Well, Mr. Speaker, I had my microphone on and I was speaking, but there was a little buffering going on.
The Speaker The Speaker Yes, I picked the gavel up and let the gavel go dow n. The gavel went down already. An. Hon. Member: Have a good weekend, colleagues. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: All right, Mr. Speaker. I ask for a little bit of indulgence next time around for that.
The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Everyone have a good weekend. Thank you. I appreciate an early day. [At 3:30 pm, the House stood adjourned until 10:00 am, Friday, 16 July 2021.]
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