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The Senate on Friday (Dec.16) passed a Bill amending the Pensions (Prime Minister Act) to provide enhanced benefits for retired Prime Ministers and their surviving spouses or children. The adjusted provision serves to ratify a 1992 Cabinet decision, which permitted the payment of specific allowances to the surviving spouses of Prime Ministers and former Prime Ministers, even though the necessary...

The Senate last Friday (Dec. 9) approved a motion calling on Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, to urgently conclude the ongoing investigations into the operations of the sugar industry and arrange for assistance to the sector to prevent the further loss of foreign exchange to the economy. The private members' motion, which was laid by Leader of Opposition...

A Bill to amend the Assets Tax Specified Bodies Act, to give Ministerial powers to vary the rate of asset tax payable annually, was passed in the Senate last Friday (Nov.25). Information Minister, Senator Burchell Whiteman, who piloted the Bill, said the amendments would enable the Minister, by order and subject to affirmative resolution, to vary the rate of asset...

A Bill seeking to correct deficiencies in the criminal justice system in relation to the treatment of mentally challenged individuals in conflict with the law, is now before the Upper House. Attorney General and Justice Minister, Senator A.J. Nicholson who piloted the Bill in the Senate today (November 3), said the Bill amending the Criminal Justice (Administration) Act, and its...

The Senate on Friday (Oct. 28.) approved the Finger Prints (Taking, Use, Maintenance and Destruction) Rules Resolution, 2005. Outlining the Rules that govern the Resolution, Leader of Government Business and Information Minister, Senator Burchell Whiteman pointed out that the various elements of the Rules sought to protect the rights of persons whose fingerprints were being taken. Rule Three of the...

The Upper House gave its approval to the Early Childhood Regulations, Resolutions 2005 at yesterday's (Oct. 28) sitting at Gordon House. Recommendations came from both sides of the Upper House on how to best to make the Regulations more comprehensive to recognise disabled children, as well as to give an extension on the stipulated time for pupil teachers to gain...

The regulations for the Early Childhood Act, passed in the House of Representatives in September, are now before the Upper House for consideration. The regulations, which are intended to make the more than 2,100 early childhood institutions in the island adhere to stipulations, address the educational and physical well-being of children and seek to ensure that school grounds meet minimum...

Government Senator, Keste Miller has resigned from the Senate to take up appointment abroad. Making the announcement during last Friday's (October 7), sitting of the Senate, Leader of Government Business, Burchell Whiteman expressed appreciation for the contributions made by Mr. Miller during his three years in the Upper House. Opposition Senator, Arthur Williams said Mr. Miller was a friend prior...

The Senate yesterday (Oct.7) deferred approval of the Companies' Rules Resolution 2005 to allow for further clarification of the provisions following concerns raised by Opposition Senators. Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, Senator Burchell Whiteman, raised the motion seeking approval for the Bill, which recommends specific rules for the new Companies Act 2004. He explained that the rules...

Debate on the Bill to amend the Maintenance Act continued in the Upper House on September 30, after a motion by Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, Anthony Johnson, to refer the Bill to a joint select committee of both Houses, was turned down. The Bill seeking to amend the Act to place equal maintenance obligations on both sexes...

The Senate yesterday (Sept. 23) gave the nod to a Bill amending the Larceny Act giving force to new legislative provisions specifically targeted at stemming the rise in extortion practices across the island. The Bill modified the parent Act to make it an offence for a person to make unwarranted demands with menaces in order to gain a benefit or...

The Senate on Friday (Sept.16), acting on recommendations by the Court of Appeal to correct "injustices" relating to third parties in motor vehicle accidents, passed amendments to the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Act. Opposition Senator Arthur Williams, who piloted the Bill, said that the Jamaican Court of Appeal had, in its judgments, indicated that the interpretation of Section...