00:00Mr. Speaker, people are feeling safer in their homes.
00:04Children are safe in their schools.
00:07We are probably buying less body bags. You know why?
00:10Because we have saved our citizens.
00:12Hundreds have been saved, Mr. Speaker.
00:15Minister in the office of the Prime Minister, Wilfred Nicholas Morris,
00:18speaking immediately after opposition leader Penelope Beckles
00:22delivered her response to the government's 2026-2027 budget
00:27in the House of Representatives.
00:28M.P. Morris spoke just before the sitting adjourned for members
00:33to attend the state-assisted funeral of Calypso icon Dr. Slinger,
00:38Mighty Sparrow, Francisco.
00:40It was my intention today as a member of Parliament and a member of this government
00:44to only attend one funeral today, the funeral of the Great Sparrow.
00:49But it is clear, Mr. Speaker, that I've attended the funeral of the PNM.
00:53The opposition leader had referred to songs from the Mighty Sparrow
00:56in her budget response and also quoted lyrics from artists like Lady Lava.
01:01Even the promises made in 2026 for youths cannot be found in the budget.
01:07For the young people, the UNC running hot and sweaty,
01:11they light on green, full steam to stop block.
01:15They're cutting you fast.
01:16I mean, I mean.
01:25The opposition leader also referred to another local artist when she posed the questions about
01:30the Employment Fund.
01:31We asked in Parliament a mid-year review about this important fund.
01:36The fact is nothing.
01:37One cent has been spent out of this fund to employ people.
01:47The minister simply said that legislation is needed
01:50and they refuse to give any further details.
01:53In the words of the popular local artiste's temper,
01:56the nation wants to have funds.
02:02Minister Morris responded to the use of such lyrics by the opposition leader.
02:06They spoke about temper.
02:08Now, any time a prime minister in aspiration,
02:13aspiring prime minister has the code temper,
02:15tell yourself something intellectually wrong.
02:19Tell yourself that.
02:20The country in trouble if you ever enter office.
02:23Minister Morris continued with his point as he spoke about
02:26the Heritage Stabilization Fund, the HSF.
02:31To use the word funds,
02:33you see, we talk about the HSF.
02:36HSF, again, it's looking at a little paper and say,
02:39go on talk about the HSF, how much time you want to take out.
02:42Mr. Speaker, let me quote something for you.
02:45The PNM, in their 10 years in office,
02:49had 11 withdrawals from the HSF.
02:5111 withdrawals.
02:54But let me tell you the monetary value of that.
02:57That was worth 18 billion trillion dollars,
03:01or 2.6, 2.64 US billion dollars, Mr. Speaker.
03:06Minister Morris said he had advice for the opposition leader.
03:09As a country,
03:11and as a young politician,
03:12you learn the value of not letting people write your speech.
03:37The House then went on a long lunch break to allow members to attend the funeral for the Calypso icon.
03:43I know today is the funeral of the mighty Sparrow.
03:49I propose to suspend further sitting until 4 to allow all members the time to attend the funeral.
03:57The lower house reconvened at 4 p.m. to continue their debate of the budget.
04:02Julie Brown, TV6 News.
