CaribWorldNews, LONDON, England, Tues. Oct. 13, 2009: Amid criticism over the takeover of the Turks and Caicos Islands by the British government, Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, Chris Bryant, yesterday revealed a date for elections in the islands.

Bryant, in a written ministerial statement to the House of Commons on the dependent Turks & Caicos islands, said elections for a new government should be held there by July 2011, if not sooner.

He also insisted that the August 14th suspension of ministerial government and the House of Assembly for a period of up to two years in TCI was `taken to restore the principles of good governance and sound financial management in the Turks and Caicos Islands.`

So far, Bryant said an advisory council, chaired by the islands governor, and a consultative forum, to `ensure that the voice and views of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands continue to be heard.` 

He also revealed that a full review of the TCI government`s finances has been undertaken and measures put in place to limit public expenditure, increase revenue and bring the Islands` debt under control. 

Two new ministries: Border Control, and Tourism, Trade and Economic Development have also been created while Governor Gordon Wetherall has undertaken a series of Town hall meetings and has visited all the main inhabited islands: Salt Cay, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos and Providenciales, as well as Grand Turk `to explain to the general public what the interim government means for them, to answer their questions, and to hear their concerns.`

The UK move has been slammed by some critics as a return to colonization for the islands. It came following a commission set up to investigate financial impropriety by former Chief Minister, Michael Misick.