After a brief sitting on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, the Anguilla House of Assembly was adjourned until Tuesday, May 28, to consider five new Bills which were given their first readings on the day of its sitting without comment.
The draft legislation comprises the following:
A Bill for Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Judicial Officers Pensions) Act, 2019; a Bill for Accommodation Tax (Amendment) Act 2019; a Bill for Tourism Levy (Repeal) Act, 2019; a Bill for Anguilla Economic Residence Act, 2019; and a Bill for Select Anguilla Agency Act, 2019.
The first part of Tuesday’s House of Assembly meeting was taken up by a question and answer period initiated by the Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Palmovan Webster, with responses by Premier Victor Banks and the Minister of Home Affairs, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge.
The written questions asked by the Leader of the Opposition, are published alongside this page in The Anguillian newspaper.
One of two matters in the House of Assembly worth mentioning was that the Speaker, Mr. Terry Harrigan, told members that taking into account the fact that the House will meet again on Tuesday, May 28, he would give them an opportunity to speak about the Anguilla Day celebrations on Thursday, May 30. That national holiday will mark the 52nd Anniversary of the 1967 Anguilla Revolution.
The other matter in the House was that Mr. Banks, the Leader of Government Business, was repeatedly addressed as Premier by the Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition. The restyling of the position of Chief Minister was provided for in the first set of approved amendments to the Anguilla Constitution as contained in the recent Order in Council.
Not wanting to draw public focus on the position, but to his humility as a servant of the people, Mr. Banks rose from his seat and politely remarked to the Speaker:
“I am Victor Banks, Elected Representative for Valley South.”
From then on, that is what he was called as the House of Assembly continued the conduct of its business.
