Cabinet Ministers Need PM’s Approval for Funds to Travel Abroad

Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries going on official trips abroad, will have to seek approval from the Prime Minister at least seven days before their intended departure.
The requests for approval must include information on: purpose of travel; duration of travel; other members of the delegation; and the cost of the trip.
Approval for Members of Parliament should be submitted by, or through the Leader of the House, while Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries should submit their requests through the portfolio Minister.
The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service says it will not consider requests for the release of foreign exchange without evidence of the Prime Minister’s approval.
A circular to this effect was tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (March 3) by Financial Secretary, Sharon Crooks. It was circulated to Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments, on February 9, reminding them of the Memorandum issued last December.
The circular said that the proposals concerning official overseas travel must take into consideration the benefits to the country of such travel, as well as financial constraints, time/duration, size of delegations and public perception, and such travel by Ministers must be in the interest of the country and only in regard to their own portfolio responsibilities.
“These considerations relate similarly to invitations to speak at events overseas, related to official capacities of Government Ministers and other officials. In any event, the aforementioned requirement for prior approval is equally applicable to such instances and should be fulfilled before acceptance of such invitations,” the circular stated.
Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments are asked to ensure that this circular is brought to the attention of all officers concerned.
In a letter issued on Monday January 19, Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, also gave instructions that there is to be no expenditure on official vehicles or official residences for Government Ministers during the year, except for essential maintenance.
This followed his decision to cancel the National Contracts Commission approved contract for a US$64,400 (J$5.4Million) for the purchase of a new official vehicle for the Prime Minister, on December 10, 2008.