Govt. backs Caricom's fight against UK departure tax increase

Bermuda is supporting efforts by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation's to lobby against a UK tax which would see a family of four pay more than $900 in duty just to come to the region on holiday.

On Monday Premier Ewart Brown, who is also Minister of Tourism, said: "We have talked about it at the last CARICOM conference [in July]. There is a great deal of political will in the UK lobbying against it. We support what the CTO are doing."

Starting in November airport departure tax on UK flights to the Caribbean will increase by between 25 percent and 87 percent, depending upon the class of travel. In November next year those increases will reach as high as 94 percent.

The British Government has said the aim is to tax aeroplane carbon emissions and plans to place the Caribbean in a more expensive tax category than the whole of the USA, including Hawaii which is further away. The tax became law in July but the CTO has pledged to keep fighting it.

According to the CTO these plans mean a family of four travelling to the Caribbean in premium economy in 2010 will pay approximately $900 in Air Passenger Duty alone.

In May Chairman of the CTO John Maginley said: "Our countries' economies are hugely dependent on tourism. This puts us at a considerable disadvantage.

"To suggest this is a green tax and that the environmental impact of flying to California or Hawaii is less than flying to the Caribbean is patently untrue. Our holidaymakers and the overseas friends and relatives of Caribbean nationals who live in Britain are being heavily penalised and our countries call on Britain to do the right thing and change this injustice."

MSNBC commentator to speak at BIU banquet

Politics and African-American Studies Professor Melissa Harris-Lacewell will be keynote speaker at Bermuda Industrial Union's Labour Day banquet.

Ms Harris-Lacewell is an award-winning author on race and politics and has also commentated on religious and gender issues on television, radio and the printed media.

The annual banquet takes place at Fairmont Southampton on Friday, September 4, from 6.45 p.m. Tickets are available from BIU headquarters for $100 each.

BIU President Chris Furbert said in a statement: "It's been a number of years since we have had a woman as guest speaker at our banquet. To have someone of Professor Harris-Lacewell's calibre is an extra benefit to us."

This year's Labour Day activities will be shortened, with nothing at Bernard's Park. The march will begin and end at BIU headquarters.

Premier defends 400th anniv. absence

The Premier said he missed the 400th anniversary of Bermuda's settlement in order to recuperate and spend time with his wife.

Several UK papers reported that he was absent from celebrations in St. George's on July 28 Somers Day. It marked the 400th anniversary of the day the Sea Venture was wrecked on Bermuda's reefs and the Island was permanently settled.

On Monday, Dr. Brown said the 400th anniversary has been a year long event and he had attended several celebrations.

"I had planned to be away from Bermuda during that time and knew I would be missing Cup Match," he said. "I had my own health and wife to consider."

The celebration came after a tumultuous few months for the Premier. In June he angered large sections of the community by bringing four Guantánamo Bay detainees to Bermuda without the knowledge of his Cabinet colleagues and without permission from the UK.

In July he attempted to push his controversial cruise ship gaming bill through Parliament without Government backbenchers opposed to the bill knowing. The move resulted in two Cabinet Minister, Terry Lister and El James, as well as Government backbenchers calling for his resignation and criticising his leadership style.

Both Cabinet Ministers stepped down, although Mr. James returned to his position as Minister of Education on Monday.

Sen Burch in hospital for undisclosed reason

Cabinet Minister David Burch attended King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for medical treatment at the weekend, according to a Government press release.

The statement, issued shortly after midnight on Sunday, said that the Labour, Home Affairs and Housing Minister went to the hospital on Saturday evening for medical attention.

"Minister Burch advised that he is in good spirits and is resting comfortably. And he took this opportunity to thank all for their well wishes."

A Government spokeswoman did not respond to requests for further information

Premier congratulates TCD for Bermuda Gold

Long considered the most tedious and infuriating process on the Island Premier Ewart Brown congratulated the Transport Control Department for winning the 2009 Bermudian Magazine award for Best Government Department.

Speaking on Monday the Premier said: "Not many years ago Bermudians would not even consider TCD for a service award like this.

"But now look… they are considered among the best. Surveys showed customers were very pleased with the service they are receiving.

"I have been advised that the team at TCD were overjoyed at the news, and they should be. Well done!"

Dr. Brown, who is also the Tourism and Transport Minister, spoke at a second quarter press conference and said the Bermuda Emissions Control Ltd. was doing well with its new responsibility for the Safety and Emissions Inspection to all motorised vehicles.

"I am advised by the Director of TCD that all the hard work leading up to this transition has proven successful as customers have adjusted well to the new testing procedures," he said. "With three testing lanes for cars and trucks at the North Street facility as well as testing lanes at Southside and Rockaway; we expedited the examination process considerably."

Twenty-three road accidents last week

There were 23 road accidents resulting in injury last week, according to a Police report.

From August 10 to August 17, there were a further 32 collisions resulting in damage to vehicles, while officers arrested nine motorists on suspicion of impaired driving.

There were also 21 reported thefts of motorcycles, six of which have since been recovered.

A Police said: "We continue to advise the motoring public to slow down and to drive as well as ride responsibly on the Island's roads.

"Those travelling on motorcycles should always fasten their helmets and avoid making a third lane."