Premier Paula Cox told MPs on Friday she was well aware that many Bermudians were unemployed — hence the creation of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The Finance Minister, responding to criticism of the Throne Speech claim that Bermuda is in a "post-recessionary climate", said she knew the issue of jobs was "very important" to the public.

The new Ministry, she told the House of Assembly, would help realise the aspirations of Bermudians and identify gaps in their skills. "That's part of how we also seek to improve the economy," she said.

Ms Cox said the recession was technically over, though the Island was still suffering from the fallout, including people not spending as much and higher unemployment.

And, reacting to the opposition MPs who argued that the climate was not yet post-recessionary, she said she wished they would stop "splitting hairs" and trying to obfuscate the real issues.

"Even if we are not on the same page, we should be in the same book," she told her critics. "I think people have to be very careful, even if they are doing it with studied effect to try to mislead the public."

She explained Bermuda College would eventually come under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, once the necessary legislative changes were made. "There is a transitional period," she said. "What we are doing is signposting the future and signposting what's going to happen."

Describing the new Ministry as a dynamic one, the Premier said: "There's the opportunity to provide on a needs-driven basis, some of the areas that are critical, critical, in terms of jobs in a post-recessionary environment, because we must understand where we are."

She told MPs to expect new legislation from various Ministries in the next couple of weeks "so we can be fully occupied and engaged in this House".

She described Friday's Throne Speech debate — which finished shortly after midnight — as generally "most informative".

"I think it has been one that has been helpful.

"We have a chance and an opportunity and I certainly hope that we are generally prepared to seize the moment and do the necessary so we can make life better for those who we are charged to serve."