March 22, 2005

Dear Sir,

The Minister for Immigration and Home Affairs, Mr. Horton, has stated that under the Immigration Act of 1953 foreigners may only own 2,000 acres of Bermuda's total acreage. He has also stated that 1,990 acres have been taken up legally. What he did not say was how many acres have been taken up illegally due to trusts fronting for foreigners. How many indeed, 100 to 200 acres? This would put us way over the legal limit which means there can be no more sales by Bermudians to foreigners. The most blinkered optimist must be able to see this.

In 1907 legislators were concerned about foreigners owning too much of Bermuda and restraints were written into the 1907 Immigration Act. This has been continued through subsequent Acts and I quote from the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956. Grant of Licenses: grant or refuse "if the aggregate amount of land in Bermuda exceeds or would by reason of such acquisition exceed in the whole 2,000 acres."

To those who have not understood why steps have been taken to protect Bermuda's land, I hope that I have clarified matters and in closing it would seem that our forefathers had Bermuda's best interests at heart.

SANDRA OUTERBRIDGE

Paget