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Legislators not given enough time to scrutinise bills– Hon Fraser

- says Legislators taken for granted when it comes to bills relating to financial services sector
Opposition Leader in the VI House of Assembly (HoA) Hon Julian Fraser RA, (R3) has complained about the lack of sufficient time to scrutinise bills brought before to the HoA, especially as it relates to bills for the financial services sector. Photo: YouTube
Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) says there is almost a mutual agreement for the HoA and the financial services sector to not interfere in the affairs of each other. Photo: Internet Source
Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) says there is almost a mutual agreement for the HoA and the financial services sector to not interfere in the affairs of each other. Photo: Internet Source
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI– Opposition Leader in the VI House of Assembly (HoA) Hon Julian Fraser RA, (R3) has complained about the lack of sufficient time to scrutinise bills brought before to the HoA, especially as it relates to bills for the financial services sector.

Hon Fraser was at the time debating the BVI Business Companies (Amendment) Act, 2022, at the Sixth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola on July 21, 2022.

The bill was scheduled to receive three readings in one sitting, according to the Order Paper.

According to Hon Fraser, bills especially relating to the financial services sector should not be rushed through the House of Assembly without them being properly vetted by legislators.

“You can’t get the bill in order to scrutinise it before, you come into the house Thursday morning, I think that we are being taken for granted and somebody needs to do something about it,” Hon Fraser said.

“There has got to be a better way for members of the House of Assembly to get an opportunity to scrutinise these bills. We don’t draft them obviously [but] we have to pass them so we are responsible for them,” he added.

Proper discourse of bills needed- Hon Fraser 

Hon Fraser said it is not right that important bills just show up and are passed in the HoA, sometimes receiving three readings in one sitting.

The Opposition Leader called for proper discourse over bills, especially relating to the financial sector, since it has reached a point where legislators cannot get to question the bills properly.

He said it is already the case where there is a mutual agreement for the financial services sector and the House of Assembly to not interfere in the affairs of each other.

“In other words, you don't see the financial services come before the House of Assembly at any time for anything except for when there is a bill to be passed,” he added.

Other legislators also expressed their agreement that more time needs to be given to properly scrutinise bills.

16 Responses to “Legislators not given enough time to scrutinise bills– Hon Fraser”

  • 250 wpm (22/07/2022, 11:27) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    reading speed with 90% comprehension is average for most well educated adults. Hopefully the members of the HOA are at least average readers. If not then we in big trouble.
    • josiah'sbay (22/07/2022, 19:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I'm trying to understand your implication, since in legislation one or two words can be debated for a long time to clarify their meaning or intent.
  • Done Deal (22/07/2022, 11:45) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    Those unity puppets are carrying out the work of the one man who is pulling the strings
  • josiah'sbay (22/07/2022, 12:15) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Correct me if I'm wrong. Don't any member of Government have the capacity to introduce a bill to the HOA? If that is the case why don't he introduce a bill that will give sufficient time to peruse the bill for good understanding, before a vote is taking?
  • Vlad (22/07/2022, 12:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    LOL I like what I see
  • nice photo (22/07/2022, 13:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Julian "mandella" Fraser
  • Please talk slower....I'm stupid (22/07/2022, 13:05) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Fraser is TOO OLD.
    Get that mess out of the government. We need an election. These stooges are not going to get the job done. It is clear that these boys are in over they head.
  • Stealth (22/07/2022, 14:19) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Except for genuinely urgent and emergency legislation, HOA members should be allowed reasonable time review bills. At least a week is reasonable for routine legislation and longer for more complicated legislation, allowing time for members to effectively do their homework and perform due diligence. The rubber stamp appearance does harm to the institution and is insulting to members and their constituents.
    • LCS (26/07/2022, 04:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      They just don't do their homework, because they run other things. HOA is not their priority. The People's Business is not their priority.
  • IN OTHER WORDS (22/07/2022, 15:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    SO HOW WAS IT DONE BEFORE ? AND IF IT WAS , HOW COME NONE OF ALL YOU FORCE RIPE ARISTOCRATS DIDN'T PROTEST ABOUT THE TIME , ???? ❓
    • Britain has all the evidence. (23/07/2022, 07:06) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      They pushing and pushing until Britain bring Scotland yard in... That's what Britain should have done in the first place,. Save us all this Drama..
  • Hon Fraser Van winkle (23/07/2022, 03:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Late for work again!
  • Dr 3RD DISTRICT (23/07/2022, 09:31) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    YOU JUST THINK ON MENTAL ILLNESS ???? WITH ALL THE DRUGS CIRCULATING IN THE COUNTRY FOR YEARS NOW , AND BEING USED BY THE HOLY YOUTHS WHO ARE ENTITLED , WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ? ? ???? / YET NOT A WORD FROM YOU UP TO NOW / NOTHING ON GUNS , MURDER , DRUGS ETC ( MENTAL ILLNESS IS ONE OF THE SIDE EFFECTS
  • HMMM (23/07/2022, 12:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Ting to talk

  • kkk (24/07/2022, 19:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the virgin island, it already has to suspend all these old people who have this backward island, it will be a last name, it will be a wand, and these in a new century


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