Registrar of Interests Gives Update

~~Adz:Left~~TORTOLA, B.V.I – The Office of the Registrar of Interests has been established and is functioning in accordance with the Register of Interests Act.

This update comes from Registrar of Interests Mrs. Victoreen Romney-Varlack who took up the post in February.

The Registrar of Interests said all members of the House of Assembly declared their interests within the 30-day requirement period earlier this year, as required by law. She added that members will be required to make a second declaration on September 14, 2008, which will be the first anniversary of the members of the House of Assembly assuming office. Subsequently on each anniversary, members will be required to declare their interests according to section 3 of the Register of Interests Act, 2006.

The Register of Interests Act, 2006 came into force on February 18, 2008. Under the law all members of the House of Assembly, including the Speaker and the Attorney General, must declare financial interests, including directorships, employment, clients, sponsorships, gifts received, overseas visits, land and shareholdings.

The Register is not open to public inspection. However, a Standing Select Committee of the House of Assembly is charged with considering matters such as the setting up of procedures to verify and investigate information that is provided by House members.

The Office of the Registrar of Interests is located in the Elections Office, in the Ulric Dawson Building on Russell Hill Road. For more information, contact the Registrar at 468-4301.