l The West End Development Corporation (Wedco) was set up in 1982 to manage and develop 214 acres of Government-owned land in the West End, including Watford Island, Boaz Island, Ireland Island South and North, the small islands forming the Crawl off Ireland South and the North and South basins and breakwaters.

l The quango employs 31 staff and has a board of 11 directors, eight of whom are political appointees. The Works and Engineering Minister appoints the board and there are no limits on how long a member can serve.

l The Corporation has functioned without Government funding since 1998, apart from grants for reconstruction work after Hurricane Fabian damaged parts of the West End in 2003. Revenue is generated from residential and commercial tenants plus berthing fees from the commercial and cruise ship docks.

l Recent work carried out by Wedco at Dockyard includes the installation of a reverse osmosis plant, the relocation of the marina and the development of ten residential units.

l Future planned developments include the Victualling Yard, Casemates, the South Basin and the Parsonage.

l In 2006, an estimated 190,000 cruise ship passengers visited Dockyard. Next year will see mega cruise ships begin docking there, increasing the number of tourists.

l Dockyard is currently the only place on the Island where tourists can hire Segways. The two-wheeled, electrical vehicles have been ridden by more than 3,000 visitors to Dockyard over the past three years.

l Wedco's 2007 annual report stresses the importance of Dockyard becoming a year-round destination for locals and visitors, rather than just a seasonal tourist attraction. The Clocktower Mall will extend its hours this season from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

l Wedco's revenues increased by 6.4 percent to $5.9 million between 2006 and 2007, while total expenses rose to $6.59 million. Retained earnings increased from $19.96 million in 2006 to $20.14 million in 2007.

Bad debts increased significantly, from $34,461 in 2006 to $198,022 in 2007. The Corporation's last annual report said it was taking steps to reverse the trend.