The Opposition's fear that Government would try to catch them off guard by breaking common practice and rushing through important legislation in the House of Assembly on Friday proved to be unfounded.

UBP Whip Cole Simons had predicted that Government would launch debates on health insurance and the Draft Bermuda Plan at the end of a lengthy discussion on the Throne Speech.

However, in the end, only a relatively straightforward bill relating to the Draft Bermuda Plan was discussed at the end of the Throne Speech debate which went on long past midnight.

The Development and Planning (Draft Bermuda Plan 2008 Extension) Act 2009 extends the period of the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008 to June 30, 2010.

Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney said the draft plan remained operative for 18 months from June 6, 2008, and needed the approval of the Legislature to remain operative after that.

The Opposition complained that the move had not been properly Gazetted — but Mr. Blakeney said they were wrong on that point and the bill was given the green light by both sides of the House.