The First Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly will resume on October 14, 2013. Opposition Member and Third District Representative Honourable Julian Fraser RA, (left) will fire off some 30 plus questions to the Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith's National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration. Most of them will focus on answers to the controversial Cruise Pier Expansion Project. Photo: VINO/File

At the last sitting on October 7, 2013 of the House of Assembly (HOA), Speaker Honourable Ingrid A. Moses embarrassed the Leader of Government business Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, who told the HOA earlier this year that the economy of the Virgin Islands was 'robust and getting better'. Hon. Moses said since the last sitting of the HOA much has happened and 'no doubt', glaring before us are greater financial challenges and tougher economic times for the territory. 'We have witnessed the closing, destruction, and down-sizing of prominent businesses resulting in layoffs and terminations which have deeply affected our people psychologically, socially and financially,' Hon. Moses stated. Photo: VINO/File

Many have not paid attention to the Speech from the Throne read by the controversial appointed Governor William B. McCleary. Many have claimed the speech was a cut and paste of last year with little or nothing accomplished. Mr. McCleary, a UK civil servant in the British Foreign Service, is appointed and not democratically elected under the Virgin Islands colonial status as an overseas Territory. He has been described by many as one of the worst governors in recent times. He told a local talk show that he was not 'a racist'. Photo: VINO/File

The Virgin Islands’ Parliament met last Monday October 7, 2013 when the United Kingdom appointed Governor William B. McCleary read a speech on behalf of the democratically elected government of Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith.

The speech in the Westminster Systems of parliamentary democracy is called the Speech from the Throne, representing the plans and legislative programmes of the government of the day. 

The Speech from the throne-2013 

To many local political observers and critics the speech read by Governor McCleary, who many described as one of the most controversial Governors in recent Virgin Islands history for his alleged disregard and respect for law and order and facilitating the civil service becoming a political body, was much of the same. 

One senior civil servant described the speech as “cut and paste with nothing of substance there…we wrote the same things last year, it was just reworded.” 

On the other hand, veteran legislator and Member for the Third District, Honourable Julian Fraser, RA, had few words to say as well, “I am still waiting to hear what is coming out of the Speech from the Throne. I am not impressed,” he said moments after the speech was delivered. 

Meanwhile, First District boss and Opposition Legislator Honourable Andrew A. Fahie told this news site “we will have to wait and see what comes out of the speech.” 

Cold water on Dr. Smith “robust” economy by Speaker Moses 

However, even before the speech was read by the Governor representing the National Democratic Party polices, Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Ingrid A. Moses embarrassed the Leader of Government business Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, who told the HOA earlier this year that the economy of the Virgin Islands was “robust and getting better". 

In a speech by House Speaker-Moses at the October 7, 2013 sitting that many claimed was a contradiction of the stated policies of the Smith Administration, she told Parliament  of the serious economic challenges facing the territory and the need to work together to relieve the hurts of the people.

She said since the last sitting of the HOA much has happened and “no doubt”, glaring before us are greater financial challenges and tougher economic times for the territory.

“We have witnessed the closing, destruction, and down-sizing of prominent businesses resulting in layoffs and terminations which have deeply affected our people psychologically, socially and financially,” Hon. Moses stated.

Questions from Hon. Fraser

One of the high lights of today’s sitting will be answers to the over 30 questions from Opposition Member Honourable Julian Fraser RA.

After months of not answering many questions on the Cruise Pier Expansion Project and the Virgin Islands Party Opposition having to fight with the Speaker of the HOA, Honourable Ingrid A. Moses, to get some questions on the Order Paper, Honourable Fraser will be asking many questions on the project at this morning’s sitting.

The questions to the Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool, will range from obtaining a copy of the April 12, 2013 Cabinet approved Heads of Terms Agreement with Tortola Ports Partners (TPP) under which the Ports Authority has authorized $1.7 million worth of pre-development services, information on the design of the project, and information on the $1.7 million associated with the Ports Project. 

Both the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith and the Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton will also face questions at the October 14, 2013 Sitting from the former Communications and Works Minister, Hon. Fraser.

Other business of the HOA will see five Bills, including the Magistrate Code of Procedure (Amendment) Act 2013, Financial Investigation Agency (Amendment) Act, 2013 and the Status of Children Act, 2013.

The HOA meeting will be carried live on CBN Channel 51 from 10 A.M.