The administration´s legislative programme for the Third Session of the House of Assembly which included the education, health, tourism and security sectors among others, was announced by His Excellency Governor David Pearey on Tuesday during his Speech from the Throne.

Speaking on the economy, the Governor said that Government is committed to providing a supportive environment for all small businesses and continues to seek ways to strengthened the economy. "With the recent approval by Cabinet of a National Trade Policy for the Virgin Islands, Mr. Speaker the Government will procure the services of a consultant to work in conjunction with the Attorney General´s Chambers on new related legislation. In that regard, Government intends to bring legislation on fair competition, foreign direct investments, franchising, anti-dumping and consumer protection to this Honourable House in the coming year."

The Governor also announced that the estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2010 will be laid before the House and in the coming year, Government will also bring legislation in support of a Deposit Insurance System. "This Bill will provide stability within the banking system, in the event of bank failure, whereby individual deposits would be protected, up to a set coverage limit."

Speaking on the Financial Services Sector, the Governor said that government intends to introduce a new Securities and Investments Bill, to address market abuse by making insider trading and market manipulation criminal offences. To enhance the existing Anti-Money Laundering Counter Terrorist Financing Regime, significant amendments will be introduced to the House concerning the areas of Proceeding of Criminal Conduct (Amendment) Bill, Drug Trafficking Offences (Amendment) Bill, International Criminal Justice Cooperation (Amendment) Bill, Financial Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill and Drugs-Prevention of Misuse (Amendment) Bill.

The Governor also noted that in order to protect the people of the Territory and also to strengthen the crime fighting capabilities of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and other law enforcement agencies, the Government will introduce a Justice Protection Bill and other measures.

Meanwhile, there will be a draft Telecommunications Regulations Bill addressing consumer protection and a licence exempt framework. The Governor stated that the consumer protection regulations will establish the basic rights of consumers of telecommunications services in relation to service providers, and enhance the level of consumer protection in the sector, thereby ensuring that consumers are served by the providers.

"The licence exempt framework will provide residents with the legitimate right to use various commonly used radio devices while regulating and managing wireless interference challenges."

Touching on youth and sports, the Governor stated that the Government is committed to the development of the recreation grounds and parks throughout the Territory and the completion of the boundaries of the land in Virgin Gorda, Brewer´s Bay and Tortola will be finalized during this session. "So that the people in those areas can have the use of the recreation grounds. Thus far, a consultant has provided a draft proposal of a sports policy, Mr. Speaker. The next step in this process is to discuss the draft proposal before the draft document is presented to the general public for review and input. Mr. Speaker, legislation will now be drafted for enforcement and monitoring of this vital area."

The House of Assembly was prorogued on September 30.

The Speech from the Throne is prepared by the Government on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen in whom the executive authority is vested and who is also part of the legislature.