Mr. Speaker, God is great and we acknowledge His purpose, we seek His guidance, and we thank Him for his mercies. Please permit me to acknowledge some persons in the Gallery who have paid me the honour to come here today to listen to my contribution to this Sectoral debate. First is my wife Beverly to whom I am grateful...

The constituency of Eastern Westmoreland is a very special and unique constituency. It has provided leadership through leaders with different distinctive qualities. Some of whom are serving in several spheres of life including those that have served in this Honourable House. But while some only had one opportunity to serve in this House, others were given the opportunity to serve,...

The University of the West Indies (UWI), in partnership with Microsoft, has established an information technology centre aimed to fostering innovation and stimulating a sustainable local software economy. The Microsoft Innovation Centre (UWI MIC), which will be hosted through the UWI Business Centre on the institution’s Mona campus in St. Andrew, is expected to be opened in August. This was...

Mr. Speaker, I want to express my gratitude to the electors on North West Manchester for their confidence and commitment. I want to also thank former Member of Parliament Dean Peart and all who those who have toiled hard and long in the vineyard to the service of our Jamaican people. I would like to thank the Prime Minister for...

The Senate has approved the Appropriations Bill, giving approval to the Government's estimated expenditure of $520.88 billion for the financial year 2013/2014. A budget of $520.88 billion was presented by the Government for 2013/14, with $370.5 billion earmarked for Recurrent (house-keeping) expenses and $150.38 billion for Capital (development) spending. In piloting the Bill in the Senate on Friday, May 10,...

Mr. Speaker, I continue to thank God for lending me breath each day as the yet unknown purpose that He has for me continues to unfold as His will be done. Please allow me also to acknowledge the unending love and support of my family – some of who are present in the gallery and one who at ninety eight...

Finance Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips Presentation for 2013/2014 Budget: "Restoring Hope, Expanding Opportunities" DBJ to Provide $2 Billion for Micro and Small Business Sector No New Taxes DBJ Providing US$20 Million for ICT Expansion Gov't Provides $94 Billion for Welfare and Development Assistance Government to Advance Programme to Modernise Public Financial Management Gov't Lowers Debt Servicing Costs Final...

I consider it a special honour to have been asked by the Prime Minister to lead off the sectoral debate for the 2013/2014 fiscal year. Let me acknowledge the contributions of the six speakers who spoke in the main debate which ended last week Wednesday. I must however make special mention of the two presentations by my colleague the Minister...