The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs made a pit stop in Barbados to dine with five Bermudian students before attending the Caricom's Security Meeting in Guyana this week.

According to a press release Senator David Burch stopped in Barbados to meet with the Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, staff and executives from the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic Institute. Discussions revolved around opportunities for expansion of various programmes and ways both countries could work together. Sen. Burch said: "Thursday's meeting was extremely useful and covered a wide variety of topics that both Bermuda and Barbados can work cooperatively on to the benefit of both countries young people."

Later the same day, Sen. Burch, along with Labour and Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Dr. Derrick Binns and National Training Board Chairman Francis Mussenden, dined with five Bermudian students to find out how they were doing with their studies. Mr. Mussenden returned to the Island on Saturday, while Dr. Binns and Sen. Burch will continue to Georgetown, Guyana for the seventh Meeting of the Council of Ministers responsible for National Security and Law Enforcement.

It is the second time that Sen. Burch has represented Bermuda at this forum and issues set to be discussed include Policing, crime prevention and other law enforcement matters.

Sen. Burch added: "I am looking forward to the meeting as the Council is being asked to approve the work done by our Commissioner of Police and Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment at their Caricom security chiefs meeting last month.

"Additionally, the Council is expected to ratify a Memorandum of Understanding with Interpol to allow our law enforcement agencies to more freely exchange information in their crime fighting efforts.