As the Chief Executive points out, we have come a long way in the past 50 years. While we can, and do, celebrate our many achievements and successes in this time, it is also a time for us to look ahead to the continuing changes and challenges of the future.
The 1990s has been an era of change as we have moved towards a more commercial and accountable operating environment with the establishment of the Trading Fund in 1996.
I am very proud to say that so far we have met these challenges with the energy, innovation and adaptability that have characterised our activities in the past.
We will, however, need to draw on all our resources, experience and expertise when we take the Trading Fund to its logical conclusion next year.
We will then, for the first time, begin to operate in an open and competitive environment.
We have grown from what was basically an electrical and transport service to the sophisticated and diverse department that we are today.