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The House of Representatives, on Tuesday (Oct. 16), approved a motion for the United Kingdom (UK) and specified British Overseas Territories to be brought under the ambit of the Mutual Assistance (Criminal Matters) Act. The move will provide for increased cooperation on criminal matters between Jamaica and other Commonwealth countries in the region. According to Attorney-General, Patrick Atkinson, who moved...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has hailed former Prime Minister the Most Hon. Edward Seaga as "one of the granite figures of our time". "He is supremely an extraordinary parliamentarian, creative institution builder, and a pragmatic Jamaican visionary," she said in tribute to Mr. Seaga yesterday (Oct. 9 during a special joint sitting of the Houses of...

Former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Edward Seaga, is to be honoured during a special joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament at Gordon House on Tuesday (October 9), as part of Jamaica 50 celebrations. Mr. Seaga is being recognised for the role he played in shaping Jamaica's post-Independence parliamentary landscape. He is the only surviving member of the team...

Cabinet has instructed the Ministry of Justice to ensure that priority is given to the passage of legislation such as the DNA Bill and regulations to accompany the Sexual Offences Act. This follows extensive discussions on the recent spate of sexual offences against women and children. Speaking at the Jamaica House press briefing on October 3, 2012, Minister with responsibility...

As part of its Jamaica 50 celebrations, the Houses of Parliament will honour former Prime Minister the Most Hon. Edward Seaga for the role he played in crafting the post-Independence Parliamentary landscape. Tribute will be paid to Mr. Seaga at a special Joint Meeting of the Houses on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Gordon House. The ceremony...

A  Bill to establish the National Parenting Support Commission was passed by the House of Representatives on September 25. Under the National Parenting Support Commission Act 2012, members of the Commission will have the responsibility of overseeing the implementation and operation of the National Parenting Policy. The policy defines effective parenting from a Jamaican perspective and sets out the Government's...

A Bill encouraging overseas companies to establish their head offices in Jamaica, and to exempt officers of such companies from the payment of income tax, was passed in the House of Representatives on September 25. The Bill – The Income Tax (Amendment) Act - was piloted by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips. In his remarks,...

The National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS is to be tabled in Parliament shortly as a White Paper, following Cabinet's approval. This was disclosed by Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, during today's a Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister. The National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS is a framework for action by...

The House of Representatives has approved the removal of over 3,000 posts from the civil service. This was done through approval of the Civil Service Establishment (General) (Amendment) Order 2012 Resolution, which was moved by Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Hon. Horace Dalley, in the House, on September 11. Mr. Dalley explained that a circular...

The business community in St. Elizabeth is expressing optimism, following the re-emergence of a Chamber of Commerce in the parish. The re-establishment of the Chamber could contribute positively to the development and future of the parish, considered the bread basket parish of the island. This was stated by newly elected President of the Chamber, Howard Hendricks, who told JIS News...

The Committal Proceedings Bill, which seeks to abolish preliminary enquiries, has been sent to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament for further deliberations.        Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, who opened the debate on the Bill in the Senate, on July 20, said that the legislation sought to alleviate or reduce problems related to inordinate delay, high legal...

The Government of Jamaica remains committed to the ongoing and sustainable development of the entertainment industry as a national priority, said Minister of State for Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford. Mr. Crawford, who was making his contribution to the 2012/13 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 17), said education and entertainment have a crucial role...