Sustainable development is a critical agenda item for Government, Premier told the House of Assembly on Friday.

Mr. Scott, reporting on his attendance at the Caribbean Community heads of government meeting in Grenada last week, said a discussion on sustainable development for small island states was ?of particular interest to Bermuda?.

?Over the last several years, Bermuda has opened its doors to many who would wish to make it their home and could legitimately do so,? he Mr. Scott.

He said the mix of cultures that the Island now enjoys had furthered Bermuda?s appreciation and acceptance of the world?s diversity and its place in it.

But he added: ?Bermuda, like a number of smaller islands of the Caribbean has a finite land mass; we are not able to reach beyond our borders and find virgin land to cultivate.

?If we are to house our people, provide jobs for our citizens and set aside open spaces that protect the environment and contribute to our social health and well-being, we must continually assess our development,? said Mr. Scott.

He told the House that it still needed to be determined how many cars were too many, or how many houses were too many.

Mr. Scott added that it was also important to determine if a continued influx of people provide diminishing returns for housing, the environment, the educational system, and the like.

Other matters discussed at the meeting were regional integration, including the creation of the Caribbean Court of Justice, inter-regional air services and trade and tourism.