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A Bill to amend the 1967 Firearms Act was passed in the Upper House last Friday (July 22) with five amendments. The modifications to the legislation form part of the government's efforts to minimize the threat to public safety and national security posed by the proliferation of firearms, by streamlining the procedures for the issuing of licences, certificates and permits....

The Overseas Examination Commission Act 2005, to pave the way for the Overseas Examination Committee to be converted into a statutory body, was passed without any amendments on Friday (July 15), when the Senate met at Gordon House. Senator Noel Monteith, who piloted the Bill, said that the legislation would place into statute, the roles, responsibilities and structure of the...

The Senate on Friday (July 1) gave its approval to a Bill to make special provisions for cadastral mapping, tenure clarification and land registration in specified areas. Information Minister Senator Burchell Whiteman who piloted the Bill said the provision was enabling legislation for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Government of Jamaica (GoJ) funded Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP) and...

Members of the Senate today (June 24) lauded the recent triumph of Jamaican track athlete, Asafa Powell, in breaking the world record in the 100-metre sprint. Powell won a recent track event in Athens, boasting a newly etched record of 9.77 seconds. Moving to acknowledge Powell's record-breaking achievement, Opposition Senator, Prudence Kidd-Deans offered hearty congratulations to the young athlete. Speaking...

Members of the Senate today (June 24) lauded the recent triumph of Jamaican track athlete, Asafa Powell, in breaking the world record in the 100-metre sprint. Powell won a recent track event in Athens, boasting a newly etched record of 9.77 seconds. Moving to acknowledge Powell's record-breaking achievement, Opposition Senator, Prudence Kidd-Deans offered hearty congratulations to the young athlete. Speaking...

The Senate yesterday (March 4) passed a Bill to Amend the Nurses and Midwives Act. Debate on the Bill was suspended last January, as there were concerns about the penalties applied for offences committed under the Act, and a decision was taken to refer the matter to officials of the Ministry of Health and the Parliamentary Counsel, for discussion. Several...

The Senate on Friday (Feb. 25) gave its assent to a Bill bringing into force, the provisions under the 1986 Retiring Allowances Act for Parish Councillors. The Bill, which was piloted by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Senator A.J. Nicholson, seeks to provide benefits to eligible retired councillors, and also serves to grant benefits to the dependents of councillors...

The Senate yesterday (Feb. 4) approved a Bill to Provide for the Regulation and Management of Early Childhood institutions and other connected matters. Piloting the Bill, Leader of Government Business in the Senate, and Minister of Information, Senator Burchell Whiteman explained that the primary purpose of the Bill was for the advancement of the objectives of the Early Childhood Commission...

Members of the Upper House last Friday (Jan. 28) paid tribute to former opposition leader Edward Seaga, who recently retired from representation politics after more than 40 years in the political arena. Senator Burchell Whiteman, Leader of Government Business in the Senate, praised Mr. Seaga for his faithful representation in the House as well as to his West Kingston constituency....

The senate on Friday (January 14) suspended its debate on a Bill to Amend the Nurses and Midwives Act.While agreeing that that there was an absolute need for a regulatory framework, which preserved and protected the nursing profession and the professionals involved, there was concern about the penalties for the five offences identified in the Act. It was pointed out...

The Senate on Friday (December 17), sanctioned five Bills, which will enable Jamaica to participate in the first phase of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), scheduled for implementation on January 1, 2005. Justice Minister and Attorney General, Senator A.J. Nicholson who piloted the Bills, said their passing fulfilled Jamaica's commitment to early implementation of the Single Market, a...

The Senate yesterday (Dec. 9) gave its approval to a Bill to amend the Corruption Prevention Act and the cohort Corruption Prevention Regulations. Tabling the legislation, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator A.J. Nicholson, said the amendments served to give effect to several recommendations made by the Corruption Prevention Commission in its annual report. The amendments to the Corruption...