David Burt renewed the motion of the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Historical Land Losses on Friday in Parliament.

The Premier and Minister of Finance said the issues in the report, introduced to the House in December 2021, are “critical to the full understanding of our history and to providing opportunity for often-silenced voices to be heard”.

Mr Burt reminded MPs: “The motion remained on the order paper pending the disposition of various matters before the courts. It was ultimately withdrawn as matters remained sub judice over an extended period.

“I am advised by counsel that those matters have been substantially disposed of, and as such, I am pleased today to renew this motion.”

Walton Brown, the late Progressive Labour Party MP, led the effort to establish such a commission and in July 2014, the House approved the motion in his name, calling for its establishment.

However, George Fergusson, the former Governor, rejected the commission, saying concerns of public interest raised during a House of Assembly debate “were not clear enough or urgent enough to require a commission of the type proposed”.

Mr Burt said: “With the then Governor’s refusal to act on the expressed will of this honourable House, it fell to this government to do so.”

The commission was established in 2019, pursuant to section 1A of the Commission of Inquiry Act 1935.

The Premier added: “The report makes several recommendations and the Government remains committed to examining them and determining what can be done to address the issues identified.

“This effort has taken longer than expected but our commitment remains unaltered.

“I will reiterate what I shared with this house in 2019 and 2021. The truth can be uncomfortable. Unearthing historic wrongs may be inconvenient for some.

“It may well be that some of those who were victims and those who committed wrongdoings have since passed on, but it is never too late for justice.

“That justice can take many forms. For some, it may simply be the opportunity to be heard and have their claims acknowledged while for others, it may confirm the legal standing they have long asserted.

“The process of providing justice starts with a step towards truth.”