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The House of Representatives has agreed that a Joint Select Committee of the Upper and Lower Houses would be the best medium to examine the issue of dual citizenship, giving particular attention to sections 39, 40, and 41 of the Constitution. In a debate sparked by a motion on the matter, brought to the House on January 18, by Member...

A Bill providing for the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor as a department of Government was passed in the Senate on Friday, January 14. Minister of Justice and Leader of Government Business, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, who piloted the Corruption Prevention (Special Prosecutor) Act, informed that the department will be responsible for the investigation and prosecution of corrupt...

The Commission of Enquiry into the handling of the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke and the subsequent engagement of United States law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips is scheduled to get underway this morning (Jan.17). The enquiry will be held over 45 days at the Jamaica Conference Centre downtown Kingston. Hearings will be held Mondays to Thursdays from 9:30...

Members of the House of Representatives will pay tribute to the late former Member of Parliament and Minister of Government, Donald Buchanan, on Tuesday, January 18. Mr. Buchanan, who was 68 years old, passed away

Cabinet has approved the procurement and distribution of Grades One to Three primary integrated study text books and work books for 2010, to Macmillan Distribution Limited, in the amount of approximately

Cabinet has approved the appointment of a new board of directors for the Bank of Jamaica (BoJ) for a three-year term. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said the appointments took effect on December 6, 2010 and will remain in place until January 5, 2013. He made the announcement during the weekly post Cabinet...

Cabinet has instructed the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to draft legislation to validate the acts performed by four members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), who were disqualified from Parliament for having dual citizenship. The legislation, if approved by Parliament, would validate any acts, performed in good faith, in respect of ministerial and legislative duties by Members of Parliament, Gregory Mair,...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 14) approved the first Supplementary Estimates for the 2010/11 financial year, which is $262.1 million lower than what was projected at the presentation of the budget in April. Capital "A" expenditure, which covers Government-financed projects, jumped from $133 billion to $135.3 billion, while Capital "B" expenditure, fell from $27 billion to $26.4 billion,...

Cabinet has approved the construction of a temporary facility to replace the Morant Bay courthouse, which was destroyed by fire in February 2007. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, made the announcement on Wednesday (December 15) at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing. He said approval has been given for the construction of a pre-fabricated...

Cabinet has approved legislation for the establishment of the Police Authority of Jamaica, which will see the merger of the Police Services Commission and the Police Civilian Oversight Authority. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said the amalgamation of the two bodies will serve to ensure that the police are efficient, effective and accountable....

The Government has reduced the rate of Special Consumption Tax (SCT) levied on hard liquor imported or taken out of bond by licensed hotels and resort cottages. "It was decided to reduce the rate of $960 of pure alcohol to $450 on spirits other than beers and stouts, wines, liqueurs and cordials imported or taken out of bond by licenced...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Reginald Budhan, says the Government continues to play an active role in protecting consumer rights through the implementation of various rules and regulations. He was speaking at a workshop of the 'Promotion of Consumer Protection Project in the Caribbean' held on December 8 at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel. He noted...