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by pltm
(PLTM) - After being called out about possessing a confidential document that is between the United Kingdom Government and Premier and Minister for Finance, Dr. The Hon. D. Orlando Smith, Opposition Member and Third District Representative, Hon. Julian Fraser announced that he found the document at a speed bump.
The exact purpose or contents of the document, titled High Level Framework for UK Support to BVI Hurricane Recovery, was not made clear when it was referenced during the questions and answers segment of the House of Assembly on March 22.
The existence of the framework was however noted in the eighth question Hon. Fraser asked the Premier during that sitting.
As he referenced the document, the Opposition Member asked the Minister for Finance to tell the Honourable House whether he signed or agreed to any other matter or term in the said document.
Hon. Fraser also asked the Premier to provide the High Level Framework for UK Support to BVI Recovery, to which the BVI Leader responded that he was unable to oblige. In fact, the Premier never disputed that the document does exist; instead, he explained that he is unable to make the document public.
In acknowledging the High Level Framework, Hon. Smith told the House, “I have received such a document and I have responded. However, Madame Speaker, I am not able to provide the member with further details or copies of the document to which he refers, as these are in the nature of confidential documents, and therefore I refer to Standing Order 17: G II.”
The Premier further explained that the document is essentially between Heads of Government, specifically between the Premier and the United Kingdom’s Minister of State.
“As I have determined these documents are confidential. These are exchange of document between myself and the Minister responsible -- the Minister of State; and they are supposed to be confidential documents,” Hon. Smith said.
At that point, Hon. Fraser attempted to persuade the BVI Leader to share the document, noting that the information contained would give legislators a greater understanding of the recovery agreement.
“Premier you must appreciate that you came to us to aid in furthering the aims and objectives of the United Kingdom Government that was triggered by that particular document; and if we don't have that document, it's going to be almost impossible for us to aid,” Hon. Fraser said.
In further strengthening his request for the document, Hon. Fraser opened the door for questions about how the document came to be in his possession.
“You have given us three pages of that particular document and from my knowledge, there are five pages in that document. The other two pages you are saying we can't have?” Hon. Fraser asked.
Hon. Smith responded that the document was not provided by him, prompting the Opposition Member to admit that he received the framework via other means.
Hon. Fraser said, “You didn't give me any at all. I kind of stumbled on it somehow, but there are five pages to the document and we're not getting it. That's what you're saying? It's a five page document and we're not getting it?”
At that prompting for the other two pages, Hon. Smith ignored the question and did not respond. The brief silence was then followed by Hon. Fraser’s announcement that the document was indeed meant to be a secret, and that its existence will set the stage for the late debate on the Recovery Development Agency.
Hon. Fraser said, “Premier when I look at this document, the document states specifically –it says the immediate establishment of an independent recovery agency delivery structure; which will be the sole structure for investments in recoveries, irrespective of whether the investment is guaranteed by the UK government. It speaks to the establishment of the Agency. This same document that you do not want to give us, that secret document that you don’t want to give us speaks to the establishment of the Agency.”
“How are we going to debate this Bill that you are bringing before us if we can’t see the document…Madame Speaker this Member isn’t hiding! I found it (document) at the speedbump by Sea Cows Bay. I am not going to hide that I have it, but I don’t have all, I would like to have the other two pages,” Hon. Fraser continued.
The Premier did not budge in his stance that the document was not meant to be a public communication and stressed that the Standing Orders support his position.
“As I have said it is a confidential document and based on the Standing Orders I am not at liberty at this point to put, lay it on the table. I know that the Member has copies of some part of the document, at least the Member says he has three pages. I am not going to argue or discuss that, but I am just reiterating what the position is,” the Minister for Finance said.
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