Jan 05 - Number Six: Opposition Also Rented Out Government Premises When In Government
The Government has said that the Opposition's criticism of the renting out of Government premises for private functions over the Christmas festivities “is selective in its use of the facts.”
The reality is, says Number six, that Government premises have been rented out for private functions “since time immemorial.” Private clubs and organisations have held Christmas Day, New Year's Eve Dances and other similar events at venues like the Central Hall for years, according to a statement released this afternoon. There is no difference between the use of the Central Hall and the use of the Tercentenary Hall, it stresses.
It is important, says the Government, that events such as these are organised in Gibraltar in order to provide local entertainment for young people and in this way encourage them not to go across the border. This policy is in the wider interests of the youngsters, their parents and their families and it “provides peace of mind for all concerned”, says the Government.
The Opposition should be aware, says the Government, that any entity can book the stadium, the Central Hall or any other venue upon payment of a fee and by meeting certain other conditions like insurance and security. According to Number Six, exactly this same system was in use when the Opposition were in Government.
It is also relevant to point out, says the Government, that the main complaint received against the functions taking place this year originated from a commercial entity based in Ocean Village. However the Government notes that persons linked to this same entity booked part of the stadium to organise their own private function barely a few months ago but now are complaining when someone else books it.
Therefore the Government says it is satisfied that the procedure followed was the same as that which has been used for many years for the allocation and rental of Government premises for private functions. The identity of the organisation that rented the premises is, it argues, irrelevant to the debate.
