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Parliamentarians conveyed condolences to Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, and his family, on the passing of his mother, Ruby Blake, during Tuesday's (July 28) sitting of the House of Representatives. Ms. Blake, a retired civil servant, who worked with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security for more than 30 years, passed away on July 23 in...

Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Eastern, Franklyn Witter, has said that despite the global recession, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has helped to make several improvements to his constituency over the last 12 months. Making his contribution to the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House on July 29, Mr. Witter said that through the Fund, several communities, previously...

The House of Representatives paid tribute to the late Lady Gladys Bustamante, widow of National Hero, The Rt. Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante, Wednesday (July 29). Lady Bustamante died at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) on Saturday (July 25). She will be accorded an official funeral by the Government of Jamaica. The service will be at the Sts....

The Government will work even harder next year to build communities and change lives through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for the CDF, Hon. Shahine Robinson, gave this assurance in her contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Gordon House yesterday (July 28). Mrs. Robinson said that to accomplish...

The House of Representatives began debating changes to the Holiday with Pay Act Tuesday (July 28), to increase fines for breaches by employers and allowing the Resident Magistrate's (RM) Courts to hear the cases. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, pointed out that it is imperative that workers are given adequate time for rest and rejuvenation during...

One week after completing debate on the landmark Sexual Offences Bill, the Senate is scheduled to start debate on another very important piece of social legislation, the Child Pornography (Prevention) Bill, when it meets today (Friday, July 24). The Bill, which was tabled by Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne, confronts the commercial sexual exploitation...

Cabinet has approved drafting instructions for the legal establishment of the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC). This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Hon. Andrew Holness, during his contribution to the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 21). Mr. Holness informed that a structure for the JTC has been agreed on, while job descriptions for...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Energy and Mining, Hon. Laurence Broderick, has said that the Ministry is working to promote synergies among the various segments of the minerals industry. Making his contribution to the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 21), Mr. Broderick said this is necessary to build a strong, integrated and...

The Ministry of Energy and Mining is proposing the creation of a comprehensive township development plan, incorporating the use of rehabilitated mined-out bauxite lands. State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Laurence Broderick, in his contribution to the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate in Parliament on Tuesday (July 21), said that the move would help to address the demand for housing solutions, especially...

The landmark Sexual Offences Bill, which reforms and amalgamates various laws relating to rape, incest and other sexual offences, was finally passed by the Senate on Friday (July 17). The Bill will repeal the Incest (Punishment) Act, as well as several provisions of the Offences Against the Person Act. It also provides for the establishment of a Sex Offenders Registry,...

The Senate welcomed former Resident Magistrate, Marlene Malahoo Forte, as its newest member, after she was sworn in at Gordon House on Friday (July 17). President of the Senate, the Hon. Oswald Harding, joined the members in welcoming Mrs. Malahoo Forte, adding that he looked forward to her contributions to the debates. Opposition member, Senator K.D. Knight, said he believes...

Debate on the Sexual Offences Bill will resume on Friday (July 17), when the Senate reconvenes at Gordon House, Duke Street, Kingston. The debate should have continued last Friday (July 10), but was deferred to allow members time to study proposed amendments to the Bill, which arrived late for that sitting. The amendments deal with, among other things: sexual violations...