Based on information provided in the Legislative Assembly on Friday 17 March 2006, there are approximately 3,300 Civil Servants employed in the Cayman Islands and from amongst them only one has been sent on leave – and that is the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Tim Hubbell.

Mr Hubbell’s post shot to the forefront after a long series of questions relating to Cayman Islands Government personnel. Opposition Member, Rolston Anglin, asked “What is the personnel movement within the Cayman Islands Government since 1 June 2005 by Ministry, Department, Agency and Portfolio, that is hiring, firing, transfers and retirement.”

Collin Ross – sitting in for the Chief Secretary – said that as at 24 February there were 3,346 Cayman Islands Government employees. He said this figure was coming down from 4,034 in 2001. He said that the reduction in numbers was largely due to employees being moved over to Statutory Authorities when they were created.

Giving more detailed references he said 398 had left, 171 resigned, 34 had retired, 17 were dismissed, 136 were on contract, and there were other categories. He also said there were 562 new employees in the Civil Service.

Asked in what areas new recruitments were placed Mr Ross said he could not remember the exact offices for which persons were recruited, however, he agreed to get that information if needed. Following closely on that question Mr Anglin asked, “Were there any persons put on leave or fired?”

Mr Ross said that as far as he was aware, “No one has been terminated.” He said ‘fired’ was not appropriate in relation to the Civil Service. “But I am aware that one officer has been sent on leave,” Mr Ross added. Mr Anglin then asked Mr Ross to say, “What kind of leave? How long is the duration of the leave? Is this a senior Civil Servant?” Mr Ross said, “Yes,” it was a senior Civil Servant.

Mr Ross also said that the leave had to do with the officer’s reassignment. He explained that this came about because the officer had written to the Head of the Civil Service saying, “His talents could be better employed.” Leader of the Opposition asked, “If this is a senior civil servant, who has complained about his talents not being fully utilised, shouldn’t be called in from leave?”

Mr Bush also queried the length of time a senior post in the Civil Service could remain vacant. With no response to those questions Mr Bush then asked what position the senior civil servant holds. In reply Mr Ross said, “The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism.”

In the sotto voce chatter on the Opposition side of the House, after taking his seat, Mr Bush, not addressing the Speaker or the Legislative Assembly, was heard to say, “Victimization.”

Last year a Government employee told Cayman Net News that it was perfectly normal for a Civil Servant to be on extended leave and for another Civil Servant to be appointed to act immediately in his or her post.