 Mr. Speaker, I beg to present for second reading a bill short entitled Health and Citizens Security Levy Amendment. Mr. Speaker, there will be no need, I hope, for a long discussion on that bill. The health and security levy has been implemented on goods. It has been collected custom for Mr. Speaker. And the transition with all things, just like that, there will be some rough patches on the transition Mr. Speaker. But in the mean it has been collected and customs on imports, and there seems to be a pretty smooth transition Mr. Speaker. కాక్రాలులు కికాినిలాక్నరులులులాక్రరి ఎంశిక్నిమిమికాయాయ్ో చరారునామికిపదాకికేని. Two  Wire  Aa  veure ー 北                                                                                                                                                                                                                          to be stabilise the country, Mr Speaker to get people in a state of uproar so the country can't move that's why they glorify crime you believe it's only now that Senorsha ever had crime, Mr Speaker you believe, Senorsha was perfect before 21 July, only now you only started now, to have some crime only now I don't think crime is justified I'm appalled and when I tried saying about crime they tried to ridicule me and they make an excuse and get support and say  솔직히                                     .         As I said, it's working for goods. It's working for goods. But for services, Mrs. Speaker, the first service providers came to us and they say that there is difficulty in collection. So immediately, and I only made that clear because I read somewhere that how it's going to be refunded, immediately I want to say that there was no health and security levy on the provision of services. We gave them how many months? Two months? Two months, Mrs. Speaker. And we are going to implement the health and security levy services starting from the 1st of October this year. And here is why we did it, Mrs. Speaker. Because we believe in dialogue. We believe in discussion. We believe in getting the business people together because this government has done more for the business people than any government business speaker. And they are going to want all over the world to say that if I was the Prime Minister I would not be able to track investments. No one would come here if I was the Prime Minister. I would not be able to track investments. Because people will listen to me. I won't tell you why they said. I won't tell you why. If I tell you why, they will say I am something else as usual. But that's what they will tell Lucia that I would not be able to track investment. There is more investment in St. Lucia in the last five years than the last six years of the speaker. There is more interest in St. Lucia. The last time there was so much interest in St. Lucia was when the Lair Party was in power in the year 2009, 2007, 2001, 2006. Right now, investors are knocking on the door of the speaker and you see the roots. You see the hotels going up in the speaker. So when we decided to create a name environment because the health and security levy was a revenue measure, but we said because of the after effects of COVID, we'll give the businesses a break. We had amnesty for the business people who orders vats and who had fines and penalties for not paying the tax. We had an amnesty for them. You know what they said? They said we did it for our friends. I did it for my friends. The same man who could not attract investment, the same man who will not come here because I couldn't speak. I don't know if I'm a mumu. They said I couldn't speak so investors won't come in St. Lucia. The same man, when the investors are coming and when we remove the vats, they say because these same investors are my friends. So if you can gain anything with this people. So Mr Speaker, the service providers came to us and said to us the way we are calculating the health and security level and services will cause double taxation. So we sat down and we listened to them, we spoke to them and we came up with a formula of how we will work. The consideration which is the amount of money that will be liable to vat Mr Speaker. And if you look at section, the amendment to section 2, you will see the following Mr Speaker. Section 2 of the principle act is amended under the definition of the word consideration by deleting paragraph A and substituting the following. The total amount in money or kind paid or payable for the supply by a person directly or indirectly including fees and charges other than tax pay up under this act reduced by a price discount or rebates excluding value added tax paid or payable on the supply of a service in accordance with value added tax, stamp duty paid or payable in accordance with the stamp duty act and other duties and levies paid or payable under any other enactment. What this means Mr Speaker? Let me give you an example of a policeman or teacher or student getting a mortgage bill or house with a speaker. I can't wait once the duct sign order to make the announcement on housing. That's not a big announcement, I'll come soon Mr Speaker. And you'll hear them, you'll hear them, you'll hear them you'll cry when I'll come to Mr Speaker. I just can't wait, I just can't wait, so you'll hear. So before we do it, you'll hear the, you know what I mean when you have it, but anyhow. So if, see Mr Speaker, the minister of house is looking at me, you know. He's looked at me Mr Speaker, because he's a minister of housing. So he'll be okay, he'll be okay. So Mr Speaker, see, that means if a policeman or teacher or student or servant is being a house with a speaker, when you are calculating the legal fees that must be on the house, they calculate it, the lawyer's fees, the life is foolishness. They decide that they pay the stamp duty, all the other fees and the lawyer fees, and they come down and they pay, then you have the health and security level, levy and then vats. What was happening Mr Speaker, is they would have had to pay health and security levy on the stamp duties, which was not right, that's double taxation because they have paid the government stamp duty. So what we said, is when we are calculating the health and security levy, we will exclude, we subtract the stamp duty and any other duties or taxes are already paid to the government and you will pay the health and security levy on the 2.5% of the total and then the vats. So what we done Mr Speaker, is that we understood that it can't be a case of double taxation, nor can it be a case of putting on due pressure on people who have already paid their duties, their stamp duty to build a house and build their mortgages. So that is what this amendment speaks to Mr Speaker. So it's an amendment that actually reduces, reduces the revenue that the government can collect, reduces it because you have to exclude, you have to exclude the duties already paid to the government. Mr Speaker, again because of discussion and because of wanting to improve the lot, to make it more easy, make it easier for people to be able to build their houses etc. And all these other services Mr Speaker, you remove the duties or taxes you pay. So if you have a service Mr Speaker and included in that service, you have already paid vats on that input for that service you have to exclude it. That's all about Mr Speaker. And the Chamber of Commerce represented by the Chamber, the Chamber of Commerce represented the service providers, the law etc. We came and had a discussion Mr Speaker with us and we decided that we will not be high and mighty and play as if what everything we do is right. We said yes you are right, you understood when the cabinet discussed with my colleagues and we said yes that is fair and reasonable and we will make the change Mr Speaker. So this is the change. We never said so. We did it, we did it Mr Speaker and that is what this amendment is all about Mr Speaker. So Mr Speaker, on the matter of the cost of revealing Mr Speaker, I understand and I empathize with the people of this country when they speak about the cost of the price Mr Speaker. Because Mr Speaker, all the commentators they haven't made a distinction between cost and price. But you know some of them that I hear on the top on the what they call them the turn-hold meetings. No, we created a good thing in the week, we had turn-hold Tuesday. I mean this little party is really innovative you know. We started turn-hold Tuesday. They laugh at us when they started. They say we are afraid of the people, we are going to turn-hold. Now every Sunday they call it turn-hold. Every Sunday. I mean this guy is the rest of the guys you know. They laugh at us. They said we were speaking to the converted in a little room, I talked to people, now they have turn-hold. Concerning what you heard Mr Speaker, there is a difference between cost and price. Let me tell you the difference. If you import that glass and you pay a dollar for it if you have to pay five dollars to get this elusia is a hundred five dollars. If when you get this elusia the duty of ten dollars the cost of that glass it becomes a hundred fifteen dollars. If you have to pay fifteen dollars in fact the cost of that glass is a hundred thirty dollars. That's the cost. But the price of that glass is when you put it in the store the markup that the person puts on it for the profit it becomes the price. So what does the government have control of? In price control goods the government has control of the price. Not the cost. And you know, and Mr Speaker, this is what hurts me. All over the world we have issues with inflation. Inflation last year was six percent and the central bank in the United States is screaming the federation bank that don't matter how they try to don't matter how they try to adjust interest rates inflation is stubborn it just is not reducing. You had England inflation in Barbados inflation all over Mr Speaker I don't like it. If I like to see the cost of goods the price of goods and services in the show market climb like that Mr Speaker I have constituents we eat at home so we understand the prices Mr Speaker but we can't control the cost Mr Speaker so how do we do to control the price we only can put the goods on the price control and the business people are saying that they think price control is aggressive they think price control is something that we should not do but Mr Speaker but Mr Speaker we are saying that in the pricing structure the businesses should take consideration of what is happening to the consumer that's what we say Mr Speaker that's what we are saying and we are saying Mr Speaker that in the prices structure we look at the turnover the turnover if they sell it more if there is more activity Mr Speaker if there is more cash flow they must see how it is affected in the pricing structure Mr Speaker so Mr Speaker what is government is doing for the Ministry of Labour and you know Mr Speaker again there is so much misinformation there is something called inflation or stagflation where the prices continue to spiral spiral spiral Mr Speaker but we understand that because of the increase in prices the disposable income of the people of this country is getting more difficult and more trying we understand that if taking some measures we understand that Mr Speaker so the next measure is we are the Ministry of Labour has been instructed to speak to and the Minister has formed the committee Mr Speaker and I want to show the Chamber of Commons and the public of St Lucia that the finance of this that committee will meet public for discussion before it goes into legislation that's our style that's how we act that's what we did all significant legislation that's what we did we didn't go and sign an agreement with the association Private all of the major policy initiatives that we have taken we are going to public with Mr Speaker so we have got one preliminary report on a minimum liveable wage that report was circulated to the cabinet only and to the cabinet Mr Speaker and this liveable minimum liveable wage is being discussed there has been no decision as yet the Chamber of Commons and the public will be involved in the discussion Mr Speaker but hopefully I hope Mr Speaker that very soon and possibly before independence day next year we can announce a minimum liveable wage for the people of St Lucia but several things that I have taken in consideration Mr Speaker in startflation how competitive competitive our country will be how it will affect expansion of business etc several things Mr Speaker we take in consideration and this government and the Minister of Commerce and the Minister of Labour are cognisant of these things and it will take time to do it Mr Speaker but whereas we are doing that we again will live in other areas and they laugh again at when we started it was an 80 year old Mr Speaker Mr Speaker the contempt that these guys have for people the contempt and the scorn one day I said on a political platform in the market steps that they took elderly ladies and be them to march they made a big fuss with me they put it on Facebook I have no respect for elderly people I am decent I am so I am this wicked fellow I attack elderly people Mr Speaker but the same people when the Minister of Health gives relief to people 80 years and over they attack him the same people you know Mr Speaker last Sunday a lady in my church you know I go to church Mr Speaker you know that on Sunday and I used to go all the time I am not I didn't start because I am a politician so you might hear them say I don't go to communion but you know what I mean that's what that's the platform that's the platform rhetoric that's what you know is you there is of you that one you the attacking after conversion so Mr Speaker and I can say Mr Speaker because I know he will mind me saying that that great TC Brown Mr Speaker his mother she was 80 years last Sunday and 80 years she had a church a big church celebration in my church and if you see the lady you will never say she is 80 years and I want to wish her a happy birthday again so could you please give her a round of applause for me please TC Brown's mother 80 years old Mr Speaker the lady looks well we are living longer we are living much longer these days so when the Minister and the Sensors will show it by the way we need to get the Sensors Arts in a serious way soon in this way out soon we will show the amount of people are living longer so when the Minister starts his 80 years they ridicule him as usual I guess they will say he is ridiculous they ridicule him Mr Speaker then we take the next step then the first step was pregnant women and maternal pre maternal and and penital care for pregnant women they ridicule him again Mr Speaker but Mr Speaker you know why there are serious issues with the population of San Lucia the Minister of Education will tell you that there are schools that don't have enough students Mr Speaker they have to merge classes I am not saying anything about that I am not saying I don't know about the court me and say that all I said is that there are serious issues the population of San Lucia in fact I heard Mayor Motley say two weeks ago that Barberus may have to import people because she had serious issues even national insurance so many serious issues you know and when I hear an opposition when the government brings these issues into the into the discussion in several opposition becomes constructive and gives ideas and say what they can do just lies and nonsense and propaganda I mean we pay for city fees we pay for city fees we pay for city fees but they went to school the schools the children fighting in school Mr Speaker fighting in schools is not a good thing it has got worse now because of social media and because parents are interfering and I think that there should not be any violence in schools Mr Speaker but Mr Speaker people of children are fought in schools for a long time it's not right it's not supposed to happen because she was happening now guns and knives and things in schools but the fact is there has been these things and not new things they are worse now with social media I'm not condoning it because they say I condoned it I'm not condoning it all I'm saying is that do not always sell your country short don't always tell the world your country the worst place in the world stop doing that so we started with health and security levy we started with maternal care Mr Speaker Mr Speaker you know you know the amount of young mothers who get pregnant and the next time the doctor is in the hospital when they have the baby Mr Speaker but these people have no conscience they have no conscience Mr Speaker a number of mothers young mothers only see a doctor when they go to the hospital to conceive to give birth sorry so when the minister says listen to me you can get your what do you call it your ultrasounds your blood tests free it's not supporting that they attack it they attack it and that is what health and security levy will do as we advance towards universal health care Mr Speaker then the food stage is not perfect Mr Speaker tell me the country that has had a health insurance policy that is smooth sailing in the great united states Obamacare was confusion up to now the republics are trying to to do something with with Obamacare but here we are starting with universal health care being funded by some by sources and then by the health and security levy but they are complaining so now we saying that if you get attention for your hypertension hypertension then you will get for your diabetes Mr Speaker and that's a lifestyle I come back to lifestyle again Mr Speaker preventative diseases non communicable diseases Mr Speaker when we came here and I find it very very strange that some people who are always heavy on health style heavy on exercise used to call people big belly all in a sudden Mr Speaker they've got quite they've got quite on lifestyle they've got quite on exercise Mr Speaker they've got quite all in a sudden and you see how the men and women on this side look Mr Speaker the member of for Cassius North he's lost a lot of weight I want to congratulate him for that and you will see what he's with he has a thing he has a thing in the cabinet I don't know what's in there I don't know what I don't know what's there it's a mix it's a mix you see Mr Speaker when I cherish my lifestyle you know I'm going to say something health and security Mr Speaker do you know Mr Speaker and I'll say that because I want the public to see how these things rebound bounce back and come back and that's why I'm here today bounce back bounce back Mr Speaker bounce back Mr Speaker one day I had a meeting in Bokaj by the Bokaj bus stop and a bus with hotel workers bus passing so I stopped my meeting I stopped my meeting kept quiet to allow the bus to pass the next Saturday on UWP media Mr Speaker the next Saturday next Saturday on UWP media it was all over the place I am so sick I'm a sick guy I have high blood pressure and diabetes they cut my toes yes yes Mr Speaker they cut my toes I have I'm toe less UWP UWP UWP and Mr Speaker next day on social media the leader never condemned it never today God has helped me that I've seen the day when the people of Senusia with the help of my colleagues my health is okay I could die tonight like any of us here but Mr Speaker and I've become the Prime Minister of Senusia so Mr Speaker I'm saying all that to tell you how life has a way of boomeranging it comes back at you Mr Speaker so that's why right now Mr Speaker all the guns literally and figuratively are aimed at me that's why Mr Speaker because of the facts that against all odds I want to thank again the men and women of here and the men and women of Labour Mr Speaker against all odds the change came so Mr Speaker this amendment hopefully we may have to come back we may have to come back because you see the health and security levy like that it impacts on all goods and services all goods so we may have to come back for an amendment but we'll be matured enough we'll be matured enough to come back and say to people these are the changes that we have to make Mr Speaker so Mr Speaker I implore members to support it Mr Speaker and I ask the Chamber of Commerce for the cooperation Mr Speaker because apart from the health Mr Speaker that situation about women sanitary I want to use a political political correct word what does the political means of health sanitary products sanitary products sanitary products sanitary products that's correct political sanitary products Mr Speaker Mr Speaker again he will feel it most knows it Mr Speaker Mr Speaker do you know that there are a number of young women who have to make a choice between buying bread for their children and buying and buying sanitary products Mr Speaker but well let our conscience what makes the solution what makes us why don't we have more empathy for our neighbor why can we stop allowing politics to remove our conscience to take off the humanity in our souls we need to be able so much that we have taken off all the humanity we have taken off all the reason because we lost government this is hurtful Mr Speaker for a set of men and women because they are not in government they are in the surrogates to expunge from their being any level of humanity or empathy so you want to criticize a government for removing taxes on its products Mr Speaker and you want to encourage people to attack the government for that instead of saying sanitary products thank you Mr Speaker thank you very much sanitary products you want to attack you want to encourage people to post on Facebook to take a tax from put it on thing and say look at what the government doing just to attack PA and the Labour Party we cannot get our country on a footing where we can collectively improve ourselves and they say to us we did the same thing in opposition we did not what we did in opposition was because of their behavior how they behaved they gave us further by their behavior so if they have come to the parliament if we have health and security level to fund health care we will oppose it you think you have come to parliament have a security level to support the police we will ever attack it you think you have come to parliament to remove that on sanitary products we would ever we will ever attack it you think you have come to parliament to remove that and build materials you think you will ever say that you don't eat plywood that's why we are Mr Speaker that's where we are that's where the opposition is exactly we don't eat plywood that's what they say and the other story is that we removed the vat and materials to make rich people billowses that's all you can sit you can sit at not me you can sit at not me you understand there are some things I can't see not me I mean Mr Speaker you think you can sit at that we move tax for rich people billowses and some people are calling a guy call and say anyhow forget that Mr Speaker I urge this honorable house to support the health and security level amendment thank you Mr Speaker