The Chief Minister announced the visit while delivering a statement to the Legislative Council on Thursday.

“We welcome this familiarisation visit because it will go a long way in enhancing the MPs’ knowledge of our Territory’s unique challenges and opportunities, especially at this stage in our development when we are seeking constitutional advancement,” the Chief Minister said.

The visiting MPs are members of the BVI All Party Parliamentary Group, which was formed in late 2004. “

This is the first time the Territory is hosting such a group and we are grateful that these UK parliamentarians have made this effort to advance the interests of our people and to use the parliamentary process on our behalf,” the Chief Minister told the Legislative Council.

Activities planned during the upcoming five-day visit include an informal meeting with Legislative Council members; talks with the BVI Constitutional Negotiating Team; and a meeting with the Financial Services Commission. In addition they will meet with representatives from the private and public sectors in some of the MPs’ specific areas of interest.

The MPs will also visit the BVI High School, the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, and tour national parks on Virgin Gorda and Tortola.

The Chief Minister said most overseas territories with offices in the U.K. have All Party Parliamentary Groups. “It is useful for a representative number of these parliamentarians to visit the Territory for familiarisation and to interact with the Government and people,” he said.

The BVI London Office and the BVI International Affairs Secretariat are coordinating the familiarisation visit to the Territory.