Legislators divided over Customs duties legislation
BVI News Staff - Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 at 11:28 AM
House of Assembly Building
An 8-3 division was recorded in the House of Assembly during the presentation of a bill by Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith.
In presenting the bill, the Premier had called for a Standing Order of the House to be suspended to allow for the Customs Management and Duties Amendment Bill to be passed.
At the end of the vote, which was recommended by Second District Representative and Opposition member, J. Alvin Christopher, all opposition members had voted against the motion and all government members had voted for. There were two members absent from the House at the time of the vote.
In his debate of the bill, Christopher said during the years he has spent in the House, he has understood that only under extreme circumstances should the House Standing Orders be suspended to facilitate the passing of a Bill on the same day.
The second reading of the bill was seconded by Deputy Premier, Dr. Kedrick Pickering, who announced that the expense of food is the most topical issue. He said that government can’t eliminate customs duty altogether because it is a source of government revenue and if they do, they will have to find a revenue source to replace it.
Dr. Pickering said the savings resulting from the Act won’t show in supermarkets tomorrow but it will eventually.
First District Representative Andrew Fahie said the intent of the legislation was noble, however he said the Attorney General would have to tell him if in doing this they won’t be contravening any insurance law internationally that the United Kingdom might have signed onto.
“What has come is a noble attempt but it needs some more teeth overall,” Fahie said.
The First District Representative questioned whether businesses would be given time to get rid of stocks that were previously marked up. He also said: “This cannot happen without consumer legislation, this is just a whim and a prayer hoping it would be passed on.”
Third District Representative Julian Fraser said he couldn’t support the bill in its current form.
In light of the comments made by members of the Opposition, Minister for Health Ronnie Skelton said: “It’s better than nothing, it’s better to stimulate the economy and money is circulated … and the members on the other side knew they wanted to accomplish this but they were too fragmented. We saw a broken country…. We pleading with the people to understand that you need a government in office to fix the economy and to put their lives at a standard they want and can appreciate… This bill gives the Premier and Minister of Finance the tools he need.”
Minister for Communications and Works Mark Vanterpool said: “I am disappointed in members on the other side for playing politics with something so important…. This would have results no matter what or who says… We will not sit and do nothing…. It’s a small, short bill with serious implications… the Minister has begun the process and let it be said that he has done so… So you can sit and argue about whether it would be passed on.”
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6 Comments
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Now that gov has taken a quantum leap reducing its own revenue i am very concerned that businesses will pass on the savings. For instance in a recent conversation i understand prison eggs are $2.95 from there but $4.95 from Riteway. Yes business must have a margin, but if its 40% unliekly to compete with STT. There may not be the economy of scale for smaller margins. It maybe be a break for but business but really hope consumers sees some of the benefit
In reply to you sir, there was no mask to be removed. This was always the intent of the bill had you read and listen carefully. It was always for the businesses to save which will be passed on to the consumers.
You and Cran Shaft know darn well that the consumers will not benefit from this bill. Duty was removed from a number of items years ago and who benefitted from that. The person who wrote the article is quite right, you people have mastered the art of conning people.
The Tax Payer: You said NDP Government mastered the art of conning the people? I think you meant VIP Government.Promised made promises not kept..NOT ONE in the past adminsitrtion. Tell me, who’s conning who?
My dear heart and gentle people trust me, what transpired in the House of Assembly on 14th Feb., can only be described as a gross case of deception. All that glitters is not gold.
At face value the passage of this bill appears to be in everyones favour. However, when the mascara is removed, the intent becomes obvious. The Bill inquestion is designed to relieve the buisness community whose supplies enter the Territory through Port Purcell of a portion of the high import charges. It does no apply to goods purchased by individuals who order or travel abroard to secure personal items. For all intents and purposes, the bill is intended to discourage this practise. “BUY LOCAL.” One could identify with the presumed objective. However, as the Rep. for the 5th District said during the debate, “it is time that the buisness community gets back something.” That says it all. It is crystal clear that the savings in question is intended to serve the intrest of the buisnesses and not the community as a whole. One can understand why Mark was so passionate and supportive of the Bill.
Of even greater concern to the public at large is the authority which has been granted to the Minister of Finance who now has the authority to vary the Tariff on goods being brought into the Territory by individuals who seek to avoid the exorbitant prices charged by our local buisnesses. Week end shoppers may find that if this trend continues, the 20% import duty could be made 40% without notice.
May I suggest that Ferry operators will also be adversely affected by this self serving Bill.
So locals don’t own the businesses who will get the break? I don’t understand your logic here. Being able to buy caprisun and papertowel in the BVI instead of St Thomas doesn’t mean I still won’t go to St Thomas, PR, or USA wether for pleasure or to pick up certain items not available here.
NObody ever said it would be for people ordering online. Why would a Government advocate such a thing? LOL! You people really p*** me off. If they sat down and did nothing, you all would complain. The businesses have been complaining about this all the time. If it means local businesses, especially the smaller ones get some sort of break, I’m fine with that. Taxi men get to bring in a vehicle 100% duty free. You got a problem with that too?
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