The first supplementary estimates for the 2014/15 financial year were approved in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, December 9. The estimates reflect an overall revised expenditure of $539.3 billion, representing a net reduction of $739 million against the original approved estimates of $540 billion. In opening the debate, Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, noted...

The House of Representatives has passed 22 Bills since the beginning of the legislative period in April 2014. This was disclosed by Leader of Government Business and Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, during a sitting of the Lower House on December 9. He also informed that of the 22 Bills, 12 have gone on to...

Newly elected Member of Parliament for Central Westmoreland, Dwayne Vaz, was sworn in on Tuesday, December 9, during a sitting of the House of Representatives. After taking the Oath of Office, Mr. Vaz was welcomed by Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, as well as other Members of Parliament on both sides of the House. The businessman comes...

The Senate, on Thursday, December 4, passed amendments to the Mortgage Insurance Act, aimed at making mortgages more accessible for persons seeking to acquire a home. The Bill seeks to increase from 90 per cent to 97 per cent, the percentage of the appraised value of the property on which mortgage indemnity insurance is granted; and to vary the percentage...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the time has come for Jamaica to exercise its political sovereignty by replacing the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the country’s final appellate court. The Minister was making his contribution to the debate on the CCJ Bills in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, December...

It was to the melodious strains of “Rivers of Babylon” that the flag draped casket bearing the body of Syringa Marshall-Burnett, exited the halls of the University Chapel yesterday (Nov.6). The Government of Jamaica had accorded an official funeral service for the late former President of the Senate and noted stalwart of the nursing profession. The three-hour long service, held...

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says all is in place for the official launch of the National Animal Identification and Traceability System on November 13. “All things are in place; tags and tagging equipment have been procured, laws have been reviewed by the Attorney General’s Chambers and submitted to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, and sensitization...