Honourable Members, I wish to update this Honourable House, and through it the people of the Virgin Islands, on my participation in the Commons and Overseas Territories Speakers' Conference, an initiative established by the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, to strengthen collaboration, facilitate the exchange of ideas, and support the continued development of the Parliaments of the United Kingdom and the Overseas Territories.

Good morning, Honourable Premier, Honourable Members of this House, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. It is indeed my pleasure to welcome each of you to the House of Assembly on this very important occasion, the presentation of the Budget Address by the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance. Today, we are pleased to have among us our current Honourable Members of the House of Assembly and their spouses, as well as former Premiers, former Speakers and former Members of this Honourable House. I extend welcome to our Clerk and Deputy Clerks of the House of Assembly, former Clerks, including my

REMARKS BY HONOURABLE CORINE N. GEORGE-MASSICOTE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THIRD SITTING OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE FIFTH HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ON THE VISIT OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR LINDSAY HOYLE, MP, 158TH SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM TUESDAY 17TH FEBRUARY, 2026 Today marks a historic occasion for the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands as we welcome Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the 158th Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, to address this Honourable House. This visit is unprecedented. Speaker Hoyle is the first