PM Says Anti-Crime Bills on Fast Track

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, has disclosed that six anti-crime Bills, which have been delayed passage in the House of Representatives, will be debated soon.
Mr. Golding informed that he has asked the Leader of Government Business in the Lower House and Minister of Education, Hon. Andrew Holness, to make arrangements for early debate on the Bills.
“We will present to the House proposed amendments to the Bail (Amendment) Act and the Bill to amend the Constabulary Force Act to address, as far as possible, the concerns raised by the Opposition and civil society groups. Cabinet yesterday issued drafting instructions for anti-gang legislation which will be brought to the House as soon as the draft is completed,” Mr. Golding said.
The Prime Minister was making a statement to the House of Representatives, Tuesday (May 25), on the declaration of a state of public emergency in Kingston and St. Andrew.
He said that he will be taking the opportunity to share proposed amendments to the Bail (Amendment) Act and the Bill to amend the Constabulary Force Act with the Opposition Spokesperson on National Security, Peter Bunting.
“I hope that we will be able to secure passage of them as quickly as possible,” Mr. Golding said.
The Six anti crime Bills are: An Act to amend the Bail Act; An Act further to amend the Firearms Act; An Act to amend the Offences Against the Person Act; An Act to Amend the Parole Act; An Act to make interim provision in relation to the grant of bail in specified circumstances; and An Act to make interim provision extending the powers of arrest and detention under Sections 50B and 50F of the Constabulary Force Act.
The Bills were referred to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament in September, 2008. Four months later, the committee completed its deliberations after receiving submissions from a number of stakeholders and other members of the society.