Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694238052858.pdf (Belize)
BELIZE HR15/1/4 J I kI i k;i ■ ■■•■I I I ■ I 3 I I 1 i HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friday, 14 August 1981 10:00 a.m.. !

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Pursuant to the direction by Mr Speaker in writing dated the 10th day of August, 1981 and in accordance with Standing Order No.

11(2), the House met in the Assembly Chamber, Belmopan, on Friday, the 14th day of August, 1981 at ten o'clock forenoon.

Members present; The Speaker, the Honourable Mr C.B.

Hyde, M.B.E.
Hyde, M.B.E.

The Honourable Mr G. Price (Freetown), Premier and Minister of Finance The Honourable Mr V.H.

Courtenay (Collet), Minister of State The Honourable Mr D.L.

McKoy (Stann Creek Rural), Minister of Labour, Social Services and Community Development The Honourable Mr F.H.
Hunter (Belize Rural North), I The Honourable Mr G. Pech (Orange Walk South), Minister Minister of Works of Trade and Industry The Honourable Mr Louis S. Sylvestre (Belize Rural South) ■» Minister of Energy and Communications The Honourable Mr A. Shoman (Cayo North), Minister of Health, Housing and Co-operatives ux The Honourable Mr S„ Musa (Fort George), Attorney General and Minister of Education and Sports i/ The Honourable Mr E. Briceho (Orange Walk North), Minister of Local Government and Social Security The Honourable Mrs. J.
Usher (Pickstock), Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health, Housing and Co-operatives The Honourable Mr V. Castillo (Corozal North), Deputy Speaker 1 The Honourable Mr T. Aranda (Dangriga) X The Honourable Mr C.. Thompson (Mesopotamia) The Honourable Mr C. Wagner (Toledo South) The Honourable Mr B. Ah (Toledo North) The Honourable Mr P.S.W.

Goldson (Albert) .

< /Absent: The Honourable Mr F.J. Marin (Corozal South), Minister of Natural Resources The Honourable Mr S.O.
Waight (Cayo South), Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Works MR SPEAKER in the Chair.- PRAYERS read by Mr Speaker.
/ANNOUNC EMENTS I I || il I li | I i : Il I (2) ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER I Is ■>< MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, I have the honour A. to inform you that I have received a congratulatory telegram | from the Secretary of the Newfoundland Branch of the Commonwealth | Parliamentary Association on the 10th of August, 1981 which | reads as follows:- B "THE TWENTY-FIRST CANADIAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE CPA IN SESSION TODAY MOVE THAT A MESSAGE OF GREETINGS AND CONGRATULATIONS BE FORWARDED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE CPA IN BELIZE ON THEIR OCCASION OF INDEPENDENCE ON SEPTEMBER 21, 1931.
WE WELCOME YOU TO FULL MEMBERSHIP IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS AND EXTEND GOOD WISHES FOR YOUR FUTURE AS AN INDEPENDENT NATION".

(APPLAUSE ) And I have this day directed the Secretary to address la message to the Newfoundland Branch of the Commonwealth E Parliamentary Association conveying our gracious thanks for the I, kind expressions of congratulations and good wishes.

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a p p 1 a u s e ) PAPERS HON.


G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): [.Mr Speaker, I rise to lay on the Table, Sessional Papers Kos.

104 to 124.

MR SPEAKER: Those Papers are ordered to lie on the HON.

LOUIS S. SYLVESTRE ( Minister of Energy and ETable.

I. I Communications ): Mr Speaker, I rise to lay on the Table, Sessional Paper No.
HR126/1/4 - Belize Telecommunications (Authority - Annual Report for the year 1979 together with the (Auditor's Report on the Financial Statement for the period ‘ i Fended 31 March 1980.

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■ MR SPEAKER: That Paper is ordered to lie on the Table.

b’ HON.

D.L.

MCKOY ( Minister of Social Services, Labour |hd Community Development ): Mr Speaker, I rise to lay on the lable the Annual Report of the Labour Department for tbe year 1977.
Also, the Annual Report of the Labour Department for Also, the Annual Report of the Labour Department for she year 1978.

MR SPEAKER: Those Reports are ordered to lie on the Cable.

I w.i.

'- r fc INTRODUCTION OF BILLS HON.

G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): ISpeaker, I rise to introduce a Bill entitled a Bill for a nstitution for an independent State of Belize.

Bill read a First Time and ordered tp be printed.


(3) MR SPEAKER: That Bill is referred to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, consideration and report.

HON.

V.H.

COURTENAY ( Minister of State ): Mr Speaker, I beg to present for First Reading a Bill entitled a Bill for an Ordinance to amend the Control of Public Meetings and Public Processions Ordinance, 1967 (No.

14 of 19-57) of the Laws.

Bill read a First Time and ordered to be printed.


- i r MR SPEAKER: That Bill is referred to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, consideration and report.

MOTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OR SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE I. Mr Speaker, I move that at its rising today, the House adjourns HON.

G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): to Friday, August 28, ten o'clock forenoon.
MR SPEAKER; Honourable Members, the Question is that L the House at its rising today, adjourns to Friday, 28 August [ at ten o'clock forenoon.

f kindly say no.

I think the ayes have it.

All those in favour, kindly say aye; those against, PUBLIC BUSINESS A.

Government Business MOTIONS ■", i l-.

'i •3 1.

Guarantee of Loans to the Banana Control Board HON.
G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): Mr Speaker, I move:- WHEREAS by Resolutions passed on 7 October 1977 and 15 December 1978, this House approved the guarantee by Government of loans by the Bank of Nova Scotia, Barclays Bank International, the Royal Bank of Canada, the Atlantic Bank Ltd. and the Development Finance Corporation to the Banana Control Board of a total sum of $5,000,000 (five million dollars) at the prime rate of interest; AND WHEREAS as a condition to the extension of the time for repayment of the said loans the said lending Institutions require that the rate of interest payable under the said loan agreements shall be increased to prime rate plus one percent; .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this House approves the increase of the rate of interest payable on the loans of $5,000,000 (five million dollars) made to the Banana Control Board by the Bank of Nova Scotia, Barclays Bank International, the Royal Bank of Canada, the Atlantic Bank Ltd., and the Development Finance 'A I 1 ?

!

1 - > J 1 I J I-fl 11 (4) Corporation to the prime rate of interest plus one percent.

It has the recommendation of His Excellency the Governor.
MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, that Motion is referred to the Ways and Means Committee for examination, consideration and report.

2.

Resolution on On-lending of Proceeds of CDB Loan from the Government of Belize to the Belize Electricity Board HON.
G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): ' Mr Speaker, I move:- WHEREAS by a Resolution dated 30 January 1981, the House of Representatives approved the borrowing by the Government of Belize of US$5.0m (US Five Million Dollars) for the purpose of the upgrading and expansion of the electricail system in Belize.
AND WHEREAS Section 20 of the Belize Electricity Board Ordinance (Chapter 156 of the Laws of Belize) require the approval of the National Assembly for the placing of such funds at the disposal of the Board and the specification of the rates of interest and the mode and time of repayment; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this House approves (a) the placing at the disposal of the Belize Electricity Board of funds not exceeding a sum of US$5.0m (US Five million dollars); (b) that the Belize Electricity Board shall repay the said sum ■ ...a1 I.in accordance with the terms of the Motion.
It has the recommendation of His .Excellency the Governor.

MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, that Motion is [(referred to the Ways and Means Committee for examination, con- t sideration and report.

3.

Loan to the Government of Belize Development Bank Caribbean ___ G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): HON.

■Mr Speaker, I move:- WHEREAS under the provisions of Section 3 of the Loans (Caribbean Development Bank) Ordinance, 1971 (No.
26 of 1971) the Government may, in such manner and on such terms and subject to such conditions as may be agreed between the Government and the Bank from time to time, borrow such sums as may be required by the Government.

AND WHEREAS the Caribbean Development Bank has now agreed to lend the sum of US$750,000 (United States /do?1 (5) dollars seven hundred and fifty thousand) to the Government for the purpose of assisting in the con­ struction of the Belmopan Hotel in Belmopan, Cayo District.
BE IT RESOLVED that this House approves a loan of US$750,000 from the Venezuelan Trust Fund established in Caribbean Development Bank to the Government for the purpose stated above on Caribbean Development Bank1s standard terms and conditions.... as set out in the Motion.

It has the recommendation of His Excellency the Governor.

MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, that Motion is referred to the Ways and Means Committee for examination, sideration and report.

con- 4.
con- 4.

Resolution for on-lending of Funds from Royal Bank of Canada to Government of Belize HON.
G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): Mr Speaker, I move:- WHEREAS the Government of Belize desires to borrow funds for the purpose of financing a Housing Project in Belize; AND WHEREAS the Royal Bank of Canada is prepared to make funds available to the Government of Belize; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this House authorises the Minister of Finance on behalf of the Government and people of Belize to enter into an agreement for a loan of US$2.0m (US dollars two million) from the Royal Bank of Canada to the Government of Belize for the purpose of financing a housing project in Belize ..... according to the terms of the Motion.
It has the recommendation of His Excellency the Governor.

Honourable Members, that Motion is referred to the Ways and Means Committee for examination, MR SPEAKER: E I- consideration and report.

s' 5.

Resolution for on-lending of Funds from Atlantic Bank Ltd, to the Marketing Board E. Mr Speaker, I move:- HON.
G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): BE IT RESOLVED that this House approves additional overdraft facilities of BZE$400,000 from Atlantic Bank Ltd. to the Marketing Board to finance milk operations of the Board.

It has the recommendation of His Excellency the Governor.

/idR tr.ltXER... ... 3 .a a ■ ■ / fl (6) MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, that Motion is referred to the Ways and Means Committee for examination, consideration and report.

6.
6.

Resolution on Belize's Membership of the Commonwealth of Nations HON.
G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): Mr Speaker, I moves- WHEREAS it is the declared policy of the Government of Belize to apply for full membership of the Commonwealth of Nations on the attainment of Independence; AND WHEREAS Her Majesty's Government has agreed that Belize shall become an Independent State on the 21 September 1981; BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives directs that a formal application be made to the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations for full membership for Belize of the Commonwealth; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVE!
; that the House of Representatives hereby requests Her Majesty's Government to support and assist Belize to become a member of the Commonwealth; AND BE IT ALSO FURTruSR RESOLVED that the House of Representatives directs that copies of this Resolution be despatched without delay to the Secretary- General of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, that Motion is referred Honou rable Members, p the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, [consideration and report.

7.

National Symbols Resolution HON.
G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): It Speaker, I move: - WHEREAS: (1) in accordance with the decision of the Belize Constitutional Conference a representative Committee was formed on a bi-partisan basis comprising Members of the People's United Party and the United Democratic Party to make proposals on national symbols for Belize; (2) the selections made by the National Symbols Committee were arrived at by consensus; (3) the Report of the Committee has been laid on the table of this Honourable House; BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives approves the Report of the National Symbols Committee- and prescribes its recommendations as the National Symbols of Belize in pursuance of section 122 of the Belize Constitution.
/MR SPEAKEVt.

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„ „ I (7) MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, that Motion is referred to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, consideration and report.

F 8.

The National Seal Resolution HON.

G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): Mr Speaker, I move:- WHEREAS: 21 September 1981?

Belize shall proceed to independence on AND WHEREAS the Public Seal comprises the Royal Crest, the Coat-of-Arms, the Royal Style or Title, and the name of the country?
BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House, pursuant to Section 130 of the Belize Constitution adopts the existing Public Seal as the National Seal of Belize.

MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, that Motion is referred to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, consideration and report.

9.

Membership of the United Nations Resolution HON.


G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): Mr Speaker, I move:- WHEREAS: (1) it is the declared policy of the Government of Belize to seek membership of the United Nations Organisation and its related organs on the attainment of Independence ?

Belize shall proceed to independence on (2) 21st September 1981?
(3) the United Nations has played a significant role in the imminent attainment by Belize of independence, by the consistent implementation of the General Assembly's Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and particularly through resolutions of the General Assembly ?
(4) in its resolutions A/C4/35/L8 passed on the 11th November 1980 the General Assembly welcomed the declared intention of the Government of Belize to apply for membership on the attainment of independence?

BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House authorises the Govern'.sent of Belize to apply for full membership of the United Nations Organisation and its related organs, and to assume all the financial responsibilities and other obligations of membership.
MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, that Motion is referred to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, consideration and rqport.

/I?,..., < '' I ■ • r •i fl 1 (<3) 10.

Membership of the International Monetary Fund Resolutiori HON.
G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): Mr Speaker, I move x - t § WHEREAS: (1) the International Monetary Fund was established to manage the exchange rate system of the world, and to provide short­ term financial support to countries experiencing balance of payment difficulties; (2.)
financial and economic benefits will accrue to Belize upon becoming a member of the International Monetary Fund; (3) it is the policy of the Government of Belize on the attainment of Independence to seek membership of International Organisations that serve the best interests of Belize; BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives authorises the Government of Belize to seek membership of the International Monetary Fund and to assume the financial responsibilities and other obligations of membership.
MR SPEAKER; Honourable Members, that Motion is referred ; to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, | consideration and report.

11.

Membership of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development Resolution HON.
G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ); |!Mr Speaker, I inove:- WHEREAS; (1) the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (also known as the World Bank), was established to provide financial and technical assistance for the development of its member countries; (2) financial and economic benefits will accrue to Belize on becoming a member of the Inter­ national Bank for Reconstruction and Development; (3) it is the policy of the Government of Belize to seek membership of International Organisations which serve the best interests of Belize on the attainment of Independence; BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives authorises the Government of Belize to seek membership of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and to assume the financial responsibilities and other obligations of mentbership.
MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, that Motion is referred ko the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, [consideration and report.

/12.... (9) 12.

Membership of Organization of American States Resolution HON.
G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): fc Speaker, I move:- VJHEREAS : (1) it is the intention of the Government of Belize upon the attainment of Independence to play its part in strengthening the Inter­ Amari can £;yotarn; 0 I I B (2) the States of this Hemisphere have established the Organization of American States as a regional Agency of The United Nations to strengthen their collaboration, to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity and their independence; v **>-•* C. BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives authorizes the Government of Belize on Independence to seek membership i of the Organization of American States and to assume the financial responsibilities and all other obligations of membership.
J- - X pprCO Cl 1 L. Q L ± V C O d U.

11 <>1.

JL O MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, that Motion is referred ■to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, consideration and report.

13.

Membership of the ITon-Mi ;ned Movement Resolution HON.

Mr Speaker, I move2- G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): WHEREAS: r ■.
(1) it is the policy of the Government of Belize to contribute as an Independent State solving the global concerns faced by developing countries and to maintain a policy of non- alignment ; (.2) the Non-Aligned Movement comprises a neutral grouping of countries committed to a co-ordinated stand on issues affecting developing countries ; (3) the Non-Aligned Movement has granted Belize special statu,-.
:, including the right to speak, at Conferences of Heads of State or Governments and has Consistently supported Belize' in its struggle for self-determination, independence and territorial integrity; BE IT RESOLVED that thia House authorizes the Government of Belize to seek membership of the Non-Aligned Movement and to assume the financial and other obligations of membership.
MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, that Motion is referred :o; the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, Snsideration and report.

/14 (10) 14.

Relationship with the European Economic Community Resolution HON.

G. PRICE ^Speaker, I move:- ( Premier and '■•linister of Finance ) : I I e. ..
WHEREAS: it is the policy of the Government of (1) Belize to maintain close economic links with the European Economic Community on the attainment of Independence; (2) it is the objective of the Second ACP/EEC Convention of Lorad and the Georgetown Agreement to promote' trade and economic cooperation between the European Economic Community and the African, Caribbean and Pacific States; (3) financial and economic advantages will accrue to Belize by accession to the Second ACP/EEC Convention of Lomd and the Georgetown Agreement; BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives authorises the Government of Belize to accede to the Second ACP/EEC Convention of Lomd and the Georgetown Agreement and to assume the financial responsibilities and other obligations of membership.
B MR SPEAKER; Honourable Members, that Motion is referred «he Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, [onaideration and report.

ADJOUiWiENT HON.

G. PRICE ( Premier and Minister of Finance ): Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.to Friday, must 28, ten o'clock forenoon.

MR SPEAKER; Honourable- members, the House now stands igourn.

it'10:00 Adjourned at 10:15 a.m. to Friday, 23 August, 1981 a.rn.