Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698070541948.pdf (Guyana)
THE PARLI A MENTARY D E B A T E S O FFICIAL R EPORT [VOLUME 5] PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SECOND PARLIAMENT OF GUYANA UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF GUYANA 1'' Sitting 2 p.m. Friday, 14th May, 1971 MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY His Honour the Speaker, J.P. Mr. Sase Narain, People's National Congress Speaker Elected Ministers The Hon.

L.F.S Burnham, S.C., Prime Minister Dr.

The Hon.

P.A.

Reid, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture The Hon.
M. Kasim, A.A., Minister of Communications The Hon.

H.D.

Hoyte, S.C., Minister of Finance The Hon.

W.G.

Carrington, ·Minister of Labour and Social Security 387 The Hon.

Miss S.M.

Field-Ridley, Minister of Education The Hon.

B. Ramsaroop, Minister Trade (Leader of the House) The Hon.

D.A.

Singh, Minister of Housing and Reconstruction The Hon.

O.E.

Clarke, Minister of Home Affairs The Hon.

C.V. Mingo, Minister of Local Govermnent Appointed Ministers The Hon.
S.S. Ramphal, Attorney-General of State S.C., and Minister The Hon.

H. Green, Minister of Works, Hydraulics and Supply The Hon.

H.0.

Jack, Minister of Mines and Forests Dr. the Hon.

Sylvia Minister of Health Talbot, Parliamentary Secretaries Mr. J.G.
Joaquin, J.P., Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Finance Mr. P. Duncan, J.P., Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agr iculture Mr. W. Haynes, Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister Mr. A. Salim, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture 388 Mr. J.R. Thomas, Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister Mr. C.E.

Wrights, J.P., Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Works, Hydraulics and Supply Other Members Mr. J.N.

Aaron Miss.

M.M.
Aaron Miss.

M.M.

Aclanan, Government Whip Mr. K. Bancroft Mr. N.J. Bissember Mr. J. Budhoo, J.P. Mr. L.I.

Chan-A-Sue Mr. E.F. Correia Mr. M. Corrica, Mr. E.H.A.

Fowler Mr. R. J. Jordan Mr. S.M.

Saffee Cde.

R.C.

Van Sluytman Cde.

M. Zaheeruddeen, J.P. Cde.

L.E.

Willems Members of the Opposition People's Progressive Party Dr.C.B.

Jagan, Leader of the Opposition Mr. Ram Karran Mr. R. Chandisingh Dr. F.H.W.

Rarnsahoye, S.C. Mr. D.C. Jagan, J.P., Deputy Speaker Mr. E.M.G.
Wilson Mr. A.H. Hamid, J.P. Opposition Whip Mr. G.H.

Lall, J.P. Mr. M.Y.

Ally Mr. Reepu Dama11 Persaud, J.P. Mr. E.M. Stoby, J.P. Mr. R. Ally Mr. E. L. Ambrose Mrs. L.M.

Branco 389 Mr. Balchand Persaud Mr. Bhola Persaud Mr. LR.

Remington, J.P. Mrs. R.P.

Sahoye Mr. V. Teekah United Force Mrs. E. DaSilva Mr. M.F.

Singh Mr. I.A.

Sutton Independent Mr. R.E.

Cheeks OFFICERS Clerk of the National Assembly- P.A.

Narain, A.A. Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly- M.B.
Henry The National Assembly met at 2.p.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the Chair.]

390 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.15 - 2.25 p.m. PROCLAMATION SUMMONING PARLIAMENT Mr. Speaker: The Clerk will read the Proclamation summoning Parliament.

The Clerk read the Proclamation as follow: "GUYANA Seal No.

147 of 1971.

PROCLAMATION By His Excellency MR. ARTHUR CHUNG, President of Guyana and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of Guyana.

(Sgd.)

A. CHUNG, President.
WHEREAS by Proclamation dated 20th April, 1971, issued under article 82(1) of the Constitution, the Parliament of Guyana was prorogued with effect from Wednesday, 21'' April, 1971; AND WHEREAS it is provided by article 81 (1) of the Constitution that each session of Parliament shall be held at such place within Guyana and shall begin at such time (not being later than six months from the end of the preceding session if Parliament has been prorogued) as the President shall appoint by proclamation: NOW THEREFORE, in pursuance of article 81(1) of the Constitution, and by virtue and in exercise of all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I do hereby proclaim that a session of Parliament shall be held in the Parliament Chamber at the Public Buildings, Georgetown, Guyana, and shall begin at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, 14'11 May, 1971.
391 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.15 - 2.25 p.m.

Given m1der my hand and the Seal of Guyana at Guyana House, Georgetown, this 61 h day of May, 1971, and in the second year of the Republic.

By His Excellency's Command (Sgd.)

C.R.

Jarvis Secretary to the Office of the President."

PRAYERS Mr. Speaker: I declare this National Assembly to be duly constituted and in Session.

The Clerk will read the Prayers.


The Clerk read the Prayers as follows: "Almighty God, we, who are here gathered together, do most humbly beseech Thee to guide us in all our consultations, so that we may together build a land where knowledge is free, where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, and where words come from the depth of truth.
Grant us, 0 God, Thine aid and guidance, so that we may deal justly with the several causes that come before us, laying aside all private interests, prejudices and personal preferences, so that the result of our counsels may be to the glory of thy Blessed Name, the maintenance of1TL1e religion, the preservation of justice, the safety, honour and happiness of the President, and the peace and prosperity of Guyana.
Grant us, 0 God, the vision so to lead, that all the people of this fair land may enter into that state of brotherhood and unity, where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever widening though and action".

392 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.15 - 2.25 p.m. Snspension of Sitting Mr. Speaker: Hon.

Members, the National Assembly is suspended for some time.

Sitting suspended at 2.08 p.m. 2.40 p.m. On resumption - Their Excellencies the President, Mr. Arthur Chtmg, and Mrs. Chung were announced.
They entered the Chamber and were received by the Assembly.

The Prime Minister presented the Address to His Excellency.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS His Excellency the President: Mr. Speaker, may I congratulate you on your election to the high and honourable office which you now fill and the duties of which you so ably perfom1.

You have taken over at an important time in the growth of the Co-operative Republic.

The Co operative Republic has been inaugurated, the basis for our development has been laid.
The new Operational Development Plan for the period 1972 - 1976 will be completed in draft this year, and the ideas, objectives and proposals therein will fonn the basis of national development in succeeding years.
In planning for development in the future my Government has three basic objectives in mind; feeding ourselves - this means that agricultural output must be increased, appreciably; housing ourselves - much will depend here on the effectiveness of the self-help movement, and clothing ourselves - this indeed is the most ambitious objective since not all the raw materials are yet produced in Guyana.
393 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40 p.m. To achieve these goals we must ensure that Guyanese own a11d control the national resources, a11d that they are given every opport1mity to participate in the development effort ru1d in the exploitation of these resources.
We must ensure that he production structure is transformed by a process of diversification, the establishment of linkages within a11d between industries and the development of a proper nexus between the rural economy a11d the rest of the economic system.

We will encourage the widest consultation on plans ru1d on decisions which effect the daily lives of the people.
We must ensure that here is the maximum use of the domestic human, material and financial resources, to provide the investment flexibility which external assistru1ce crumot always provide.

We must encourage a11d development the regional drive towards Caribbea11 integration, in order to exploit as fully as possible the opportunities for development of the region as a whole.

We must foster and strengthen the spirit of self-reliance, already present in the majority of the population.
All this must be against the background of Guyana's being a Co-operative Republic.

Our aim is to establish an egalitarim1 society a11d my government intends to make certain that there is economic justice for all.

The two main avenues by which this will be realized are the co operative a11d the self-help movement.

Today, we are all aware of the important step that has been taken in relation to the bauxite industry.
It is now our first duty to bend our energies and the energies of the people of Guyana, especially those at Linden, to make a success of this enterprise which so unmistakenly belongs to us.

Very soon my Government will name the day on which the assets of the Demerara Bauxite Company Limited in Guyana will be vested in the Government a11d people of Guyana.
Guya11ese control of the decision-making machinery of such resource-based undertakings which are non-Guyanese in their origin is importm1t; but in addition the development of enterprises which are purely national in origin must go hand in hand with this exercise.

All such 394 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40 p.m. enterprises will require skills which are in short supply, and the development of technical and managerial skills will be a matter of priority.
An accelerated programme of training has already been embarked on and will continue; but, in the meantime, my government is taking urgent steps to encourage the return to this country of skilled Guyanese who have been abroad for some time, studying and working in foreign countries.

There are difficulties ahead, but my govermnent has never been afraid of difficulties.
Agriculture For this year, the major thrust will continue to be the bringing about of diversification in the agricultural life of the country where we aim to achieve a higher degree of import substitution, create more opportunities for employment through agriculture and lay the basis for industry based agriculture.

We have been able to continue the progress made over the last few years in producing new crops as sorghum and soya beans and new varieties of existing crops.
As strengthened Extension Service in the Ministry of Agriculture, through regular meetings with farmers, and the establishment of area communities and action groups will seek to provide the high level of management and involvement necessary for achieving greater agricultural production.

In livestock production, a major drive will be to stabilise and expand the beef industry.

This will be done through investment made possible by the $4.4M IDA loan granted to Guyana.
My Govermnent is in the process of establishing a modern offshore fishing and shrimping industry, and will make a substantial investment in port and marketing facilities.

The expansion of Fisheries Co-operatives is being encouraged.

There will also be a drive for improved efficiency on the part of such Co-operatives and greater involvement and control by these groups in providing for their various needs and requirements.

395 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40p.m.


Research development in the field of brackish water fishing will continue in an effort to rehabilitate this area of fishery.

The Rice Marketing Board and Rice Corporation have continued to intensify their efforts to place the industry on an economically sotmd basis.
To this end, the projects which are being implemented include the establishment of drying and storage centres of padi, the establishment of a Research station at MARDS and the modernization of milling facilities.

It is my Govermnent's policy to plough back into the industry surplus fimds earned from the marketing ofrice.

Accordingly, the board has taken over from other Government Agencies a substantial share of the responsibility of providing loans to fanners.
Inputs, such as pure line seed, fertilisers, weedicides and insecticides, are supplied to them on credit, as also is cultivation equipment, including tractors and combine harvesters.

Research and educational activities will continue to be strenuously pursued to raise the level of productivity of the industry and fanners organized to promote the development of the industry through District Action Committees.
My Government, through the National Cane Farming Committee will continue to assist the small cane fanners to produce more sugar.

To date 1,700 cane farmers have received loans in excess of $3M.

and the services of Extension Officers and Research Technicians.

In 1969, these fai111ers produced 24,931 tons of sugar or 6.8% of the country's production.

In 1970 they produced 26,439 tons or 8.5 of the total.

The target for 1971 is 30,000 tons.


The Guyana Marketing Corporation is being geared to meet the short and long tenn needs for agricultural marketing.

The Corporation, with the aid of the Co-operative Department will work at the organisation of munerous individual farmers at various supply centres into Mm·keting Co- 396 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40p.m.

operatives, which will be able to improve in various ways marketing efficiency and the fanners' standard of living.
External Trade Bureau While this policy of agricultural expansion goes on, my Government has intensified its efforts to keep a finn hold over our trading patterns especially in goods and services essential to the daily life of the ordinary citizen of Guyana.

We are determined that the cost of living should be stablised and that there should be no importation of foodstuffs, except from the CARIFTA area, where Guyana is in a position to produce her own economically.
These are the principle reasons for the establishment of the External Trade Bureau.

My Govermnent will continue its efforts to ensure that these objectives are met in the interest of the nation.

Housing In the field of housing my Government will continue to pursue those measures which will bring relief to the small man.
My Government will continue its implementation of the Housing Development Act which established the Housing ft.md and makes it possible for the Ministry of Housing to plan a continuous programme of building of houses for and by those persons who are not catered fro by the designated Housing Companies or normal m01igage facilities.
With a view to enable persons in the lower income group to purchase their own homes with smaller down payments, this Act authorises Govennnent to guarantee mortgages up to 90% of the cost of house and land valued at not more than $15,000.

My Government will establish arrangements for such guarantees, thereby encouraging the channeling of more money into house mortgages and continuing the buoyancy of house-building activity throughout the country.
397 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40 p.m. With the establislm1ent of the new Local Government Authorities especially in Greater Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Linden, arrangements will be made for the m,micipal services now canied out by Government in the various housing estates which were formerly outside of the Local Government areas to be taken over by the respective Local Authorities.
Negotiations are now being undertaken to ensure that land formerly set aside for cultivation of sugar be not sold at exorbitant prices to householders.

Infra-structural Development During 1971, the necessary task of securing the infra-structural development of the cmmtry will be continued.

The Mahdia-Annai National Self-help Road continues and the completion of its first phase completely surpassed the hopes of even the planners themselves.
The second phase, that is, the link-up between the Guyana Defence Force working from Annai and the volunteers working from Mahdia will talce place during this year.

This road is indeed a tribute to the national spirit of self-help and self-reliance.
It will eventually com1ect us with Brazil to form a link with the Pan American Highway, thus ushering in a new and exciting era in our history, with Georgetown at the Caribbean apex of a road transportation triangle, having Lima on the South Pacific and Rio de Janeiro on the South Atlantic as its base terminals.

The Corentyne Highway, reconstruction of which commenced in 1969, will be completed this year.

The reconstruction of the Uitvlugt-Parika Road will continue in 1971.
398 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40 p.m.

Meanwhile studies are being conducted for the reconstmction of the Vreed-en-Hoop Uitvlugt Road, the West Bank Demerara, and Canals Nos.

1 and 2 Roads and the Essequibo coast roads.

The road approaches to Georgetown and to New Amsterdam are also being studied with a view to their improvement.
Conscious of the need for an efficient, safe and dependable potable water supply throughout the cotmtry, my govermnent will, during this Session, establish a National Water Authority which will be responsible for the provision, operation, maintenance and control of water supply and sewerage systems (existing and new ones) all over the country.

Meanwhile, a $6M water supply improvement project for Linden has been agreed and preliminary work has started.
Work will continue on the current $8.SM water supply improvement project for the lower East Coast and East Bank Demerara area.

Because of severe eros10n being experienced in several areas of our coast my Government has embarked on the constmction of new sea defences which are urgently required for the protection of valuable agricultural and other property along the coastlands.

The present work involves extensive constmction on the East Coast and West Coast of Demerara.
This represents tl1e first phase of a 12-year Sea Defence Prograimne estimated to cost some $30M The Guyana Defence Force My Government sees the Guyana Defence Force as being not only a body that protects our borders ai1d assists the police in maintaining internal security, but also as one that is to be involved in a number of developmental projects.

It is significant that part of the Mahdia-Annai Road is being built by the Engineering Section of the Guyana Defence Force.
A further revision of tl1e structure and establishment of the Army is being undertaken to facilitate a planned progratnme for Hinterland development and settlement.

The fann is also being programmed to produce enough to make the Army self-sufficient in foodstuff.
The Army 399 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40 p.m. in future will be fully responsible for the erection and maintenance of all its buildings and will continue to assist in various community self-help projects like erection of Public Buildings - Fire Stations at Ruimveldt and Campbellville and the Timehri Government School to name a few of the projects in which army personnel were involved, and so generally to contribute to the development of the nation.
Community Development One of the major successes of the past six years has been the emergence of the self-help effort as a factor of national development.

During the coming year, my Government will encourage this trend yet further, and the specific aims of the self-help effort will concentrate on defeating the unemployment problem by laying particular emphasis on those areas of activity which will assure major increases in productivity as the end result.
In 1971, it is estimated that over one hundred (100) projects will be sponsored by the Community Development Division alone, and special attention will be paid to projects which will further production in the agricultural sphere.
Co-operatives In keeping with my Government's concept of the Co-operative Republic, the Co operatives Division has been re-organised and the staff strengthened in order to ensure that the Co-operative Movement receives the required thrust and moves in the right direction in our effort to help the small man.

So far, in 1971, fifty-seven (57) new Co-operative Societies have been registered.
Continuing emphasis will be placed on consolidating the Movement and creating an awareness of the benefits that can accrue from co-operation.

In the coming year, it is the intention of my Goverm11ent to accelerate co-operative development at all levels and in all directions.

400 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40 p.m.

The National Co-operative Bank has been established as an agency for mobilizing financial resources of the Co-operative Movement into more productive channels.
During the present Session the Bank will consolidate its initial achievements and will continue its programme of service to the community and to the Co-operative sector in particular.

In the field of agriculture, co-operatives will be the main vehicle for promoting agricultural development of the interior.
To this end, the Co-operative Division is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and a new strategy for the development of areas such as Matthews Ridge-Arakaka-Kaituma, New River, Konawaruk and the lands along the Mahdia Annai Road Project, will be put into operation.
The Livestock Development Prograim11e is being launched mainly on co-operative lines and the expansion of co-operative ca11e farming societies of bee-keeping co-operatives, and of agricultural marketing groups of all types, is being emphasized.
Consumer co-operatives will be strengthened to play an important role in reducing the cost of food supplies to local consumers, as well as to facilitate the outlets for locally pro9duced goods which on the one had will create employment and on the other assist the Government in its policy of important substitution.

Several types of industrial co-operatives will be established.
It is envisaged that co operative clay-brick factories will soon span the length and breadth of our country and these enterprises will not only reduce appreciably the cost of house building, but will also release valuable timber for export and so assist in our balance of payments position.
Pottery, ceramics, handicrafts, metal work, logging, woodwork, represent only a few of the areas of co-operative endeavor through which my Government will emphasise its intention of organizing our artisans a11d tradesmen into strong and viable industrial co-operative enterprises.

In the field of housing housing and construction, several co-operative societies have already 401 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40 p.m. made their contributions.
Co-operative groups will be organized to help person who are now tenants to own their own homes.

It the programme as outlined above is to be implemented it is important that co-operators take to the Movement such constructive attitudes as self-help, mutual-help and self-reliance.

In order to foster these attitudes and to supply the managerial and other skills which will ensure successful projects much attention will be paid to co-operative education.
The programme in the primary schools will be accelerated while fom1al courses of instrnction in co-operative education will become increasingly more important in the curricula of our Secondary Schools, Teachers' Training College, Guyana School of Agriculture and the University of Guyana.

Indeed, every opportunity will be taken to expose the whole Guyanese nation to the principles, the aims a11d objectives, and the benefits of co-operation in the Co-operative Republic.
Youth and Training My Government continues to emphasise the importance of training to provide the skills and attitudes that are needed to ensure the success of its programmes and to this extent has embarked on a country-wide programme of training youths and teachers in agriculture, crafts a11d trades skills and has intensified its efforts within the school system to encourage such skills which are relevant to our own ideas.
During the early months of this year, my Government mounted courses in ceramics, clay brick-making and construction for teachers and community leaders and this programme will continue during the corning year.

The Youth Division will continue to put greater emphasis on economic progra1nmes for youths rather thru1 on the forn1al cultmal pro gra111mes that have been nm in the past.

402 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40 p.m.

The Guyana Youth Corps will continue to make a significant contribution to.
Youth Development in Guyana.

The mm1bers in the Corps have been increased and yotmg women have been included.

The Corps is developing its programme of self-sufficiency in poultry, meat, eggs, pork, green vegetables and ground provisions as well as in fresh fish, fresh milk, beans and other foods.

During the last year there have been youth exchange pro grammes between Guyana and Dominica and Guyana and Tanzania and there are plans for the continuance and expansion of these programmes.
Groups of youths from the Youth Corps and other Youth Organisations will continue to participate on the road project and in other self-help projects throughout Guyana.

Education In keeping with my Govermnent's commitment to reform the school curriculum, the Ministry of Education will continue to place emphasis on the work of the Curriculum Development Unit already established within the Ministry, as it will on the training of selected teachers in Test Construction on the production of teaching materials.
This work will ensure that we do have a curriculum suited to our needs, that our tests are validate locally and relevant to the rest of the system and that eventually our school children will be supplied with cheap text books based on our own requirement.

Within the schools, work on the establishment of School Co-operatives will continue a11d the teaching of co-operativism in our educational institutions will be further extended.
The programmes of teacher training will continue with the In-Service Teacher Training Progrmnme placed on a permanent basis and with greater emphasis on up-grading courses and 403 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40 p.m. special short courses strnctured to meet specific needs.

Training of Agricultural and Handicraft Teachers will continue.

This year will witness the beginning of constrnction of the new Government Training College at Turkeyen.
Proposals to begin a gradual devolution upon Local Authorities of responsibility for education in their respective areas will be worked out.

My government sees them in the vanguard of kindergarten education, with the Ministry of Education providing guidance and advice and training.

The implementation of for the IBRD/IRD Education Project will proceed a11d in addition to the new Teachers' Training College, constrnction on the first three multilateral schools will begin this year.
The New Amsterdam Technical Institute will be completed in 1971.

Orientation courses will be nm to familarise citizens with the Institution in advance of the commencement of formal classes in September.

Health In the field of health, my government continues to pursue those courses of action which will ensure a better quality of service for its citizens.
Bearing in mind the reciprocal relationship of health and development, my Govermnent intends to intensify its efforts in activities to prevent illness and promote health.

This will be reflected in increased activity in malaria a11d yellow fever control, in communicable diseases control, in the upgrading of the maternal and child health service a11d in food and drug control, legislation for which will be introduced in this Session.
404 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40 p.m. A national health policy has been articulated and will be incorporated in the National Health Plan which is in its final stages of preparation.

In keeping with my Government's stated policy of people involvement, an invitation has been extended to citizens to present suggestions for improvement of the health service.

Public Corporations Public Corporations represent a vital area of the expanded public sector.
With a view to ensuring the responsiveness of these bodies to the national objectives and to improving their efficiency and accountability, legislation will be introduced early in this Session establishing a national holding Corporation as a central co-ordinating, planning and, in financial matters, controlling agency.

This Corporation will also be responsible for holding Government's equity in those undertaldngs in which Government participates with the private sector.
Communications In the field of cmmnunications, the Guyana Telecmmnunications Corporation will continue work on its prograimne of extension of telephone facilities, a11d new lines will become available in Georgetown area later in the year.

Law Revision During the current Session of Parliament legislation will be introduced to authorize the production and issue of a revised edition of the statue law of Guyana.
The edition, which will be in loose-leaf form so as to ensure continuous revision, will on issue state the law at the birth of the Republic, February 23, 1970, taking accmmt of cha11ges in the statue law resulting therefrom.

405 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40 p.m.


External Affairs In the field of external affairs my Goverm11ent's policy will continue to be conditioned by the requirements of Guyana's national interest and the needs of the world community for an international system that secures the imperative of peace, justice and progress for all mankind.
Believing that the United National represents man's best hope for securing these imperatives, my Govermnent remains committee to support for the world organisation in its effort to ensure the practical realization of the principles of its Charter.

In this context, my Govermnent will strive to advance the universality of the United Nations, the democratization of its structure and the effectiveness of both its legal and its moral authority.
In a year designed by the United Nationals as International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, my Government will continue its resolute and tangible support for movements of liberation engaged in the struggle against racial inequality and injustice and for the cause of human dignity throughout the world.
The principle of non-aligmnent will continue to be the dominant theme of my Government's foreign policies and new opportunities will be sought to enlarge the influence of the Non-Align Movement on the course of international affairs.

With the developing nation of the world my Government will continue to pursue the goal of economic justice mindful of the urgent need to redress the economic inequalities that now exist between the developed and the under-developed world.
In these efforts, my Government will attach particular importance to securing action at the international level that will guarantee the permanent sovereignty of developing countries over their natmal resources - whether these be on or beneath their soils or in or below the waters adjacent to their coasts.

It is my Govenm1ent's especial intention to consolidate the new climate of friendship and co-operation that has been established with the neighbouring States of Venezuela and Suriname.
406 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40 p.m. With the Protocol of Port-of-Spain fully in operation and the Guyana-Suriname Commission established and at work, my Government will strive through policies to studied care and programmes of practical co-operation to consolidate the new eras of peace, friendship, understanding and mutual respect that the Protocol and the Commission have inaugurated.
Relations with Commonwealth Caxibbean countries will retain their peace of special importance in the policies of my Government which will continue to be directed towards the goal of an economically independent and viable Caribbean Nation.

To this end, it will be my Government's aim to initiate and pursue with all within the Region who are willing to take part in a dialogue of unity not limited to current programmes of economic integration.
Concurrently, my Government will give to those programmes its continued c01mnitment and support, pursuing policies designed to preserve and strengthen the character of regional institutions and to realize the hopes and aspirations of the people of the Co1mnonwealth Caribbean that those institutions were created to fulfill.

His Excellency present the Address to His Honour the Speaker.
SPEAKER'S REPLY TO THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS Mr. Speaker: As appointed by Your Excellency under the provisions of the Constitution, we are meeting here today in the Third Session of tl1e Second Parliament of Guyana.

It is customary at the c01mnencement of every Session of Parliament for a Statement o be presented to Parliament through the Head of State, setting out the policy of the Government for the ensuring year and the priorities which the Government feels should be given to the matters to be done.
407 14.5.71 National Assembly 2.40 p.m. We are grateful to Your Excellency for coming here and for presenting this Sessional Statement.

We also wish to thank Her Excellency for her gracious presence here with us on this important occasion.
It is my pleasure, Your Excellency, on behalf of the members of the National Assembly and myself, m1d indeed of the Nation, to offer our sincere thanks to you for delivering your Presidential Address dealing with the Progrm11111e proposed to be carried out during this Session of Parliament.

There is no need for a formal motion of thanks to be put as I know that I reflect the appreciation of every Member of the Assembly.

Hon.
Hon.

Members will, as usual, be provided with m1 opportunity of debating the policy of the Govermnent as admnbrated in Your Excellency's Address.

Once again, Your Excellencies, please accept our thanks and the assurm1ce of our highest respects.

Their Excellencies withdrew from the Chamber.

Mr. Speaker: it is now my pleasure to lay on the Table of this National Assembly tl1e President's Address.

ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That this Assembly do now adjourn until Wednesday, 19th May, 1971, at 2 p.111.
[The Minister of Trade (Leader of the House)] Adjourned accordingly at 3.15 p.m. ********* 408