State Opening of Parliament March 27

The State Opening of Parliament will take place on Thursday, March 27, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
On that day, Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Sir Kenneth Hall will deliver the Throne Speech, in which he will outline the government’s programmes and policies for the 2008/09 Fiscal Year, which begins on April 1.
Later in the afternoon, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw will table the 2008/09 Estimates of Expenditure in the House of Representatives.
The estimates will provide details on how the programmes will be funded and what the various Ministries and agencies will receive for Recurrent (house-keeping) and Capital (development) expenses.
The Standing Finance Committee of the House will meet to consider the estimates from April 1 to 3.
On Thursday, April 10, the Finance Minister will open the 2008/09 Budget Debate, which will last until April 24. During the debate, selected members of the Government and the Opposition will make presentations.
Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Dr. Omar Davies, is expected to make his presentation on Tuesday, April 15, while presentations will be made by a Government Minister and an Opposition Spokesman on Wednesday, April 16.
On Thursday, April 17, Opposition Leader, Portia Simpson Miller is scheduled to make her contribution to the debate.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding is slated to make his presentation on Wednesday, April 23. The Finance Minister will close the debate on Thursday, April 24.
After the completion of the Budget Debate, other members of the House of Representatives will make their presentations in the Sectoral Debate, which follows.