Minister Arthur Hodgson in the House of Assembly on Friday.

During the past few weeks, there has been considerable debate in the media on the question of non-Bermudians and International Companies.

Some of this debate has questioned the viability of the concept of sustainable development and has particularly accused the Minister of Environment of being anti-foreign. Most of what has been said has been in response to what I did not say. It is beyond question that this Government is fully committed to tourism and international companies as a part of the business of Bermuda. This commitment is reflected in our tourism budget of $40 million and the $2.26-plus million spent by the Ministry of Finance in attracting international business. This policy has my enthusiastic support both as an individual and as the Minister of the Environment. Following an interview I gave to a reporter from our daily paper, the interview was characterised among other things as being controversial. There was very little in the interview which could be so characterised. In answer to a very direct question on whether or not I was blaming foreigners for our problems I gave a very direct answer of "no''.

In all of my pronouncements on sustainable development, I have tried to stress the need for a balance between competing imperatives in what is, by its very nature, a complex issue. Population is the only issue on which I was questioned. There are other issues such as the family structure, social institutions, open spaces, waste, etc., etc., and I said so to the reporter.

The concept of sustainable development is a matter of common sense; everyone knows that they should have balance in their lives. It is applicable to families, to communities, and to countries. It is recognised in the Development and Planning Act which has been in place for years; by the United Kingdom who included it in their white paper, and by the United Nations in the Rio Conference; and we were elected as a Government on a platform which supports sustainable development.

The problem that sustainable development is designed to overcome is that of unbalanced growth, in which only one of the factors that drives development is considered. One of our platform promises was to implement policies that address the relationship between Health, Culture, Tourism, Construction, Marine Habitat, Land Management, Sewage Disposal Systems, Renewable Energy Sources, Traffic, Wildlife, Legislation, Recreational Area, Waste Management, and Agriculture & Fisheries.

From this list it can be readily seen that the way forward is complex and our problems cannot be solved without all Bermudians being behind the effort. To this end, the Ministry has formed an advisory committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Larry Lowe, MP. The Chamber of Commerce has given its support to this effort and will appoint a member to serve on the committee. I have no doubt that the economic imperatives of development will be well represented. Let me pause here to say that I appreciate the efforts of the Chamber in developing a meaningful dialogue with me and my Ministry as opposed to the emotional outburst that has been depicted in the media.

Finally, let me make an appeal, especially to those who have given their support to our policy of sustainable developments. We must maintain our equilibrium in the face of provocation and name-calling. We in this country have a tradition of friendliness and good manners. This has been the hallmark in our culture and the foundation of our success in attracting both visitors and foreign workers who help to service our economy.

We can be an example to all who visit us for whatever reason. In the way the debate on sustainability has developed it is obvious that the subject of population has struck a raw nerve in our society. We can begin the healing process by toning down the rhetoric and begin a dialogue that is meaningful.

The media will be key in this process by accepting its responsibility in making a contribution to the debate and displaying a loyalty to our country.

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