New All Party Parliamentary Group for T&T launched at House of Lords

The inaugural meeting of the new All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Trinidad and Tobago was held in the House of Lords on Tuesday 28th June, 2011.

The meeting was chaired by Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE, a national of Trinidad and Tobago, who currently holds peerage in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. 

Baroness Benjamin, in conveying her enthusiasm about the formation of the group, hailed His Excellency Garvin Nicholas as a man with foresight and wisdom for seeking to establish the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Trinidad and Tobago to promote the interests of Trinidad and Tobago in the United Kingdom.

A number of Peers and MPs were present including Baroness Berridge (Vice Chair of the Group), Baroness Howells, Mr. Stephen Pound MP, as well as a number of prominent nationals and representatives of Trinidad and Tobago.

In his address, High Commissioner Nicholas spoke about the potential benefits that would materialise from the establishment of the Group and also highlighted a number of challenges/issues that would require the immediate attention of the Group. These included:

• The Air Passenger Duty 
• The imminent Reclassification of Angostura bitters as an alcoholic product 
• Security cooperation between the United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago 
• The changing Student Visa system

At the meeting, discussions also centred on how Trinidad and Tobago should position itself to take optimal advantage of 2012 to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago’s plans to commemorate its 50th anniversary of independence and to showcase the very essence of Trinidad and Tobago to the rest of the world are well articulated and executed. 

The High Commissioner ensured the gathering that he would remain seized of the opportunity and welcomed the collaboration that would emanate from the All Party Parliamentary Group.

All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal, cross-party, interest groups which consist of a minimum twenty (20) persons, comprising members of the governing party, the Opposition and cross benchers. APPGs can be wide-ranging in nature as they can be formed to encourage closer ties with other countries or to discuss/address a particular area of concern or social interest.

Story by: Beverly Awonaya, T&T High Commission, London