Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694259164717.pdf (Jamaica)
ORDER OF BUSINESS OF THE HONOURABLE JAMAICA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013 PRAYERS CALL OF THE ROLL STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS ANNOUNCEMENTS BILLS BROUGHT FROM THE SENATE PETITIONS PAPERS REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES NOTICES OF MOTIONS GIVEN ORALLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS (For answer on the 5th day of February, 2013 – Question No.

27) (For answer on the 26th day of March, 2013 – Question No.

33) (For answer on the 2nd day of April, 2013 – Question No.
34) MOTIONS THAT MAY BE MADE AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF PUBLIC BUSINESS REQUIRING NOTICE MOTIONS RELATING TO SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE MOTIONS FOR LEAVE TO INTRODUCE BILLS PRESENTATION OF BILLS WITHOUT LEAVE OF THE HOUSE FIRST OBTAINED PUBLIC BUSINESS PRESENTATION OF BILLS WITHOUT LEAVE OF THE HOUSE FIRST OBTAINED Page 2 of 17 Notice given on 12.03.2013 1.
The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce to move to introduce and have read a first time a Bill shortly entitled “The Trade Marks (Amendment) Act, 2013”.

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Page 3 of 17 1.

The Prime Minister to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to Make provisions for the implementation of the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice, and for connected matters” be now read a second time.

(October 29, 2012 – 1st date for start of debate).


Notice of second reading given on 31.07.2012 The Prime Minister to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to Amend the 2.

Constitution of Jamaica to provide for the replacement of appeals to Her Majesty in Council with new provisions for appeals to the Caribbean Court of Justice as Jamaica’s final appellate court; and for connected matters” be now read a second time.

(October 29, 2012 – 1st date for start of debate).


Notice of second reading given on 31.07.2012 3.

The Prime Minister to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to Amend the Judicature (Appellate Jurisdiction) Act” be now read a second time.

(October 29, 2012 – 1st date for start of debate).

4.
4.

The Minister of Finance and Planning to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to Establish a body, to be known as Tax Administration Jamaica, with sufficient autonomy the efficient and effective administration and collection of domestic tax; and for connected matters” be now read a second time.

in management facilitate to The Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change to move 5. that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to Amend the Crown Property (Vesting) Act” be now read a second time.

6.
The Minister of Health to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to Validate and Confirm as lawful the purported continuation in office of the members of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine and all official acts done by them, in good faith and inadvertent to their not having been in compliance with the provisions of the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act, in the purported exercise of the functions conferred upon them, during the period commencing on the 16th day of October, 2008, and ending on the 31st day of May, 2011; to indemnify the members of the Council and persons who are liable to be proceeded against on the grounds that the acts were unauthorised, illegal or improper, from liability in relation thereto; and for connected matters” be now read a second time.
Notice of second reading given on 31.07.2012 Notice of second reading given on 12.03.2013 Notice of second reading given on 12.03.2013 Notice of second reading given on 12.03.2013 PRIVATE MEMBERS’ MOTIONS NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 24TH JANUARY, 2012 Page 4 of 17 1.

The House to continue debate on the motion – [No.
3] WHEREAS section 7(2) of the FIRST SCHEDULE of the Electoral Commission (Interim) Act, 2006, provides for members of the Electoral Commission to be paid emoluments equal to that of a Puisne Judge; AND WHEREAS Parliament amended this provision to provide an emolument for the Chairman of the Commission equal to that of a Senior Puisne Judge; AND WHEREAS the Commissioners have established a most generous pension, gratuities and retirement benefit schemes for themselves, because of section 10(1) of the Electoral Commission (Interim) Act, 2006; AND WHEREAS section 7(2) of the FIRST SCHEDULE of the Electoral Commission (Interim) Act, 2006, was for Commissioners to be employed on a fulltime basis; AND WHEREAS the Commissioners meet only on a part-time basis, averaging four hours per month and when there are no elections or enumeration they do not meet for up to three months; AND WHEREAS the task being performed by the Commissioners can in no way be compared to that being performed by Puisne Judges or Senior Puisne Judges, who have to work long hours doing extensive researches, trials, among other duties; AND WHEREAS those persons who serve on other governmental commissions, e.g., the Police Services Commission, the Public Service Commission, among others, do not receive as generous a package as those serving on the Electoral Commission; AND WHEREAS there are many unfortunate Jamaicans who have to work up to seventy hours a week at minimum wage just to meet the basic needs of their families, while others are living
 in abject poverty: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House amend the Electoral Commission (Interim) Act, 2006, by deleting section 10(1) and sections 7(2), 7(3) and 7(4) of the FIRST SCHEDULE of the said Act; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the emolument to be paid to Commissioners be commensurate with the part-time jobs they now perform and in line with that paid to members of other governmental commissions and members serving on government boards; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Wig and Robe Allowance now being paid to the Commissioners be discontinued.
2.

The House to continue debate on the motion – Page 5 of 17 [No.
4] WHEREAS section 14(1) of the Governor-General (Expenditure, Personal Staff, Tax Exemptions and Pension) Act stipulates the pension payable to a retired Governor- General and the First, Second and Third Schedules make provision for additional emoluments and allowances for retired Governors-General and their widows; AND WHERAS Section 14(1)(a) of the Second Schedule of the Pensions (Prime Minister) Act stipulates the allowances payable to a retired Prime Minister and the Second and Third Schedules make provisions for additional emoluments and allowances for retired Prime Ministers and their surviving spouses; AND WHEREAS Section 7(1)(a) of the Retiring Allowances (Legislative Service) Act stipulates the pension payable to retired Legislators: BE IT RESOLVED that the Governor-General (Expenditure, Personal Staff, Tax Exemptions and Pension) Act and the Pensions (Prime Minister) Act be amended to bring their provisions with respect to pensions and allowances in line with the provisions of the Retiring Allowances (Legislative Service) Act; or, in the alternative the Retiring Allowances (Legislative Service) Act be amended to reflect similar allowances and/or benefits as provided for under the Governor-General (Expenditure, Personal Staff, Tax Exemptions and Pension) Act and the Pensions (Prime Minister) Act, as the latter stood before the 2008 amendment.
3.

Mr. Samuda – To move – [No.
6] WHEREAS the North Shore Highway project involving the construction of toll roads from Spanish Town to Ocho Rios had been planned for several years; AND WHEREAS work on this highway commenced prior to 2007 but is not yet completed due to faulty design challenges, which have resulted in millions of US$ of cost overruns and unnecessary delays; AND WHEREAS identify appropriate funding to underwrite the cost of correcting the faults and completing the project; former Administration initiated measures the to AND WHEREAS the completion of this highway would yield positive benefits to the commuting public and lay a solid foundation for economic growth and development along the corridor between Spanish Town and Ocho Rios: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House call on the Minister of Transport, Works and Housing to give a detailed explanation to this Honourable House, as to the plans being undertaken to have this project completed, and whether or not it is the intention of the Government to pursue the completion of this project in a manner consistent with the plans which were initiated by the former Administration, including the securing of appropriate funding from China.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 31ST JANUARY, 2012 Page 6 of 17 4.

Mr. Samuda – To move – [No.
8] WHEREAS the highly publicised Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) was announced by the Prime Minister as one which would be formally launched by the Minister of Transport and Works through the tabling of a Ministry Paper in Parliament; AND WHEREAS the Prime Minister is quoted as saying that “every employment programme now is deemed to be JEEP”; AND WHEREAS this Parliament has not yet been given any details as to the exact quantity and source of funding for this programme, nor has there been any report on the outcome of the promised discussion with the Chinese business partners; AND WHEREAS there exists a sense of uncertainty as to the details and modus operandi of the JEEP: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House call on the Minister of Transport and Works to table in this Honourable House at the earliest date the promised outline and full details for funding of the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 21ST FEBRUARY, 2012 5.

Mr. Samuda – To move – [No.
10] WHEREAS the Jamaica Railway Corporation successfully activated the rail service from Kingston to Linstead, St. Catherine, which provided a welcome alternative to the commuting public between Linstead/Bog Walk and Kingston as a result of the closure of the Bog Walk Gorge for several months in order to effect the installation of water mains; AND WHEREAS it has been reported that this service has been experiencing financial challenges; AND WHEREAS it is well known that revenues generated from passenger services only are inadequate to cover the cost of maintaining the service; AND WHEREAS there is a need to engage private sector funding in order to resuscitate, on a phased basis at least, the services linking the Cruise Shipping Pier in Montego Bay to Appleton Estate, for example, in order to restore a once-successful tourism attraction: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House call on the Minister of Transport, Works and Housing to present to Parliament a comprehensive plan to deal with the reengagement of the rail service on a phased basis and specifically the plan of the Government in respect of the passenger service to Linstead: AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Minister advise this Honourable House of his intention to pursue the plans of the previous Administration to utilise the existing rail infrastructure in order to establish a fibre-optic backbone across the country in order to create industrial development and expand the communication infrastructure across the centre of the island.
Page 7 of 17 NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 24TH APRIL, 2012 6.

The House to continue debate on the motion – [No.
12] WHEREAS the First Schedule of the Electoral Commission (Interim) Act section 1(1)(a) states: Two members shall be appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister and two members on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition; and such members are in this Act referred to as the “Nominated Members”; AND WHEREAS the intent was for these “Nominated Members” to represent their respective parties on the Electoral Commission; AND WHEREAS an Electoral Commission cannot be viewed as being independent and free of political influence while political appointees are members of such Electoral Commission and are involved in decision making; AND WHEREAS the paramount interest of these “Nominated Members” is to act as protectors of the interest of their Political Parties, and not of the people of Jamaica; AND WHEREAS the cost to the Jamaican tax payers of salaries and allowances to maintain these political representatives on the Electoral Commission is in excess of $40,000,000.00 annually: BE IT RESOLVED that immediate actions be taken to terminate the payments being made from the public purse to the political representatives, that is, “Nominated Members” on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, and that if such salaries and allowances are deemed necessary, they be paid by their respective political parties; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Electoral Commission (Interim) Act be amended to delete section 1(1)(a) of the First Schedule, and any other sections that may make reference to, or empower political representatives to sit on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica.
7.

The House to continue debate on the motion – [No.
14] WHEREAS our current Prime Minister has publicly indicated the intention of the Government to finalise our sovereignty arrangements and move towards a Republican Democracy; AND WHEREAS there are steps along the way to that great achievement that will serve as tangible milestones along that august journey; AND WHEREAS is the custom that each year, prior to our political independence and since that time, as it is in Britain, the Government’s framework for it the year is outlined by a speech delivered by the sovereign Her Majesty Elizabeth II of Britain or her representatives under law as is the Governor-General of Jamaica; Page 8 of 17 AND WHEREAS that framework presentation is presently entitled the Throne Speech: BE IT RESOLVED that, as we approach the date of the 50th anniversary of our political independence from Britain, this Honourable House take the necessary steps to rename the Throne Speech to the “People’s Speech” as a timely and lasting acknowledgement that the priorities, projects, policies and programmes contained therein are designed – in good faith – by the Government elected by the very people of Jamaica and is intended to honour and give thorough meaning to the primary responsibility of all governments, which is to work unswervingly and tirelessly to ensure the happiness and well-being of the people who elected the Government in the first place; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this simple, yet important reassignment of the name, that this most important of presentations be understood as a deliberate move towards the full attainment of our sovereignty and in keeping with the purpose of this Parliament and the Government of Jamaica first and foremost; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as a tangible development in our jubilee year that this resolution be immediately considered so that this amendment may be approved prior to and in time for the opening of the 2012/2013 legislative year.
NOTICE GIVEN ON THURSDAY, 24TH MAY, 2012 8.

Mr. Hutchinson – To move – [No.
15] WHEREAS it is estimated that $5 billion worth of farm produce is lost by farmers each year to praedial larceny and with a launch, a second launch, and a third launch of the agricultural produce receipt book, this has failed to curtail the incidences of praedial larceny; AND WHEREAS a receipt is defined as “a written acknowledgement of receiving money”; “an amount of money received” and most producers of agricultural goods do not receive cash at the time of sale; AND WHEREAS all produce has to terminate at a distributor/end user and laws already exist to provide traceability for agricultural produce; AND WHEREAS since January 2012 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is increasing inspections of all produce being imported to the United States, and to hotels, from the farm and along the agricultural food chain: BE IT RESOLVED that section 3, form B relating to Travellers License in the Agricultural Produce Act and section 25 relating to Appointments of Inspectors of agricultural produce in the said Act, be enforced; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all farmers, not receiving cash for their produce sold, issue an invoice and not a receipt, and their phone number and TRN be put on all receipts and invoices; Page 9 of 17 AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 60 trail bikes that were assigned to the Praedial Larceny Programme be returned, to be used in this programme; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that section 37 of the Agricultural Produce Act, which provides for a farmer who does not issue a receipt to the purchaser of
 agricultural produce to be charged up to $250,000.00, be repealed and be replaced with “a distributor/end user of agricultural produce who fails to produce a receipt or invoice from a farmer or vendor for produce in his/her possession shall be subject to a fine not exceeding one million dollars”; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Praedial Larceny Prevention Act and the Agricultural Produce Act be combined and a review of the Acts carried out and updated.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 18TH SEPTEMBER, 2012 9.

Mr. McKenzie – To move – [No.
16] WHEREAS the mandate of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is “Saving Lives, Saving Property”; AND WHEREAS in 2011 the JFB was called on to deal with 14,793 emergency calls, 11,390 of which were genuine fires – 7,337 being bush and wild land fires – and 1,545 special service calls in response to other emergencies, including road traffic accidents, hazardous material spills and search and rescue; AND WHEREAS in 2011/12 approximately 29 persons (16 adults and 13 children) died as a result of fires, and over 2,389 persons were made homeless; AND WHEREAS it is generally acknowledged that the resources of the JFB are woefully inadequate in enabling that department to deal with this high number of emergency calls; AND WHEREAS annual budgetary allocations to the JFB are totally inadequate in providing the resources needed to meet the increasing challenges; AND WHEREAS failure of the JFB to deal with these challenges on a satisfactory basis is causing extreme hardship and suffering for poor Jamaicans, especially those living in densely populated, low income urban and remote rural communities, who are often unemployed and without the means of finding alternative accommodation or are unable to replace their losses and restore normality to their lives after these disasters; AND WHEREAS there is a need for Parliament to be kept abreast of the operations of the service and the JFB Board, and the threat to life and property from the lack of resources: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House, as an emergency measure, require the Ministry of Finance and Planning to provide additional funds to “beef up” the resources of the JFB, urgently, to deal with the shortage of equipment and, if necessary, human resources, in order to improve the capacity of the JFB to meet these challenges; Page 10 of 17 AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Honourable House request that the annual report of the JFB on its operations be submitted to the Parliament on an annual basis, commencing this year.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 23RD OCTOBER, 2012 10.

Dr. Campbell – To move – [No.
17] WHEREAS the country’s development is directly linked to the educational qualification of its citizens; AND WHEREAS the cost of tertiary education has a direct bearing on national development: BE IT RESOLVED that, given the perilous trajectory on which the Students’ Loan Bureau finds itself, which is one that raises the question of viability, the Human Resource and Social Development Committee be mandated to urgently examine the adequacy and affordability of funding tertiary education in Jamaica, and report to this Honourable House on its findings and recommendations.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 30TH OCTOBER, 2012 11.

Mr. McKenzie – To move – [No.
19] WHEREAS over the past five decades we have been impacted by more than 10 serious natural disasters, which have cost the country billions of dollars in relief and rehabilitation costs; AND WEHREAS the damage recorded from these natural disasters has highlighted the vulnerability of some areas, as well as the man-made factors which have contributed to that vulnerability; AND WHEREAS the financial costs have had a severe, negative impact on our economy and our physical infrastructure, thus limiting our capacity to increase growth and investments; AND WHEREAS ever-increasing climate change risk indicators show that we will not only continue to be faced with these natural disasters in the future, but that they will also increase in both frequency and intensity; AND WHEREAS the encroachment of new developments, both formal and informal, continues in flood-prone areas, exposing large segments of the population to this and other climatic dangers; AND WHEREAS it is obvious that while residents of urban areas living in these endangered communities, while willing to observe some level of temporary relocation pending the passage of these conditions, have shown no willingness to relocate to less endangered areas; Page 11 of 17 AND WHEREAS this condition continues to place a heavy burden on the Government’s annual budget and the economy, which is likely to impact growth and development, in particular, in our multilateral and bilateral relationships: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House demand that the Government take immediate steps leading to the drafting of the necessary legislation for the mandatory evacuation of persons in areas threatened by natural disasters; the forced removal of persons who refuse to relocate from areas that are constantly endangered by disasters; and the creation of “no build” zones to ensure that no physical development that will endanger life and property takes place within these zones; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Honourable House place a timeline on the legislative process to ensure that the appropriate legislation is passed and gazetted prior to the end of the current parliamentary session in March, 2013.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 6TH NOVEMBER, 2012 12.

Mr. Bartlett – To move – [No.

21] BE IT RESOLVED that the Report of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee on its deliberations for the period April to September 2012, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 6th day of November, 2012, be approved.

NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 20TH NOVEMBER, 2012 13.

Mrs. Robinson – To move – [No.
22] WHEREAS Craft Vendors and Artisans have been at the heart of the tourism industry since its very inception; AND WHEREAS the craft vendors are integrated into the tourism sector by way of the role they play in expanding the offerings of our tourism product and helping to distinguish Brand Jamaica amongst competing destinations; AND WHEREAS the craft industry plays a crucial role in the national economy as it relates to the expansion of the micro and small business sector, the creation of jobs and the generation of much needed foreign exchange; BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House debate the state of the craft industry, and in light of its invaluable contribution to national development, call upon the Cabinet to place the craft industry directly under the aegis of an appropriate Ministry, thereby providing the industry with the recognition it deserves; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that policies and strategies aimed at facilitating even greater integration and promoting even stronger and more meaningful synergies between players in the craft industry and their counterparts in the tourism sector, be immediately developed and implemented.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 11TH DECEMBER, 2012 Page 12 of 17 14.

Dr. Chang – To move – [No.
23] WHEREAS the country has been severely impacted by recent weather systems affecting the north eastern parishes of St. Mary, Portland and St. Thomas; AND WHEREAS there seems to be a clear shift in weather patterns and storm cycles; AND WHEREAS there is the need for a clearly articulated policy on disaster mitigation and adaptation in the face of increasing occurrence of extreme weather evens, in particular, as it affects the eastern and north eastern parishes of the country: BE that IT RESOLVED for a comprehensive review of climate change projections in order to definitively identify a national work plan and regulatory framework with a view to adequately protecting our citizens and infrastructure throughout Jamaica, in particular, in the eastern and north eastern parishes; this Honourable House debate the need BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this motion be referred to the Infrastructure and Physical Development committee for its consideration in accordance with Standing Orders 26A.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 22ND JANUARY, 2013 15.

Mr. Pryce – To move – [No.
24] WHEREAS many of our trading partners once held very strict and rigid views regarding the uses of cannabis sativa; AND WHEREAS the body of knowledge as to the efficacy of its use for social, religious and medicinal purposes has expanded significantly; AND WHEREAS each year many Jamaican youth are arrested and criminally prosecuted for possession of small quantities for their personal use; AND WHEREAS criminal records haunt thousands of Jamaicans and their families, preventing many from achieving career goals at the personal and family levels; AND WHEREAS, within the past decade, many other jurisdictions have, by way of the ballot, legislation and/or regulations, relaxed their positions on the possession and use of small quantities of the substance, to include de-criminalisation and legalisation: BE IT RESOLVED that this Parliament debate the practicality, as a human rights issue, of the determination of a prescribed amount of cannabis sativa at or below which there will be no criminal prosecution for possession for personal use.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 29TH JANUARY, 2013 Page 13 of 17 16.

Dr. Baugh – To move – [No.
25] WHEREAS the issue of hospitals user-fees is topical at this time, having been the subject of debate for decades; AND WHEREAS user-fees at the point of service, demanding out-of-pocket payments to raise revenue for the health sector, were in place for more than twenty years and appears to be under consideration for re-introduction; AND WHEREAS it has been proven beyond a doubt that a means test at the point of service, to identify those able to pay, has proven futile and regressive, necessitating various forms of sanctions, including withholding allied services such as birth and death certificates, thereby imposing additional hardships on the people when they are most vulnerable; AND WHEREAS there was a consequential 14.4% decline in the total utilisation of the public health services, and a 24% decline in the utilisation of primary health services in the period 1994-2002; when user-fees increased as budget cuts were implemented; AND WHEREAS this burden of costs was imposed on the poorest quintiles that are largely unemployed or under-employed and who are dependent on public health services; AND WHEREAS liabilities accrued by individuals to public institutions caused embarrassment, resulting in the postponement of clinic and hospital visits, causing a delay in treatment and a resultant higher incidence of costly complications: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House appoint a committee to sit jointly with a similar committee from the Senate to evaluate the extensive reviews that have been done on Jamaica’s user-fee policy, as well as to draw upon the experience of other countries and the Jamaican private sector, to achieve comprehensive universal coverage that is affordable to the people of Jamaica, eliminating the barriers to adequate health care.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 5TH FEBRUARY, 2013 17.

Mr. Samuda – To move – [No.
26] WHEREAS inordinate delays are being experienced across the country in the the announced Jamaica Emergency execution of approved projects under Employment Programme (JEEP) 2 scheme; AND WHEREAS there appears to be an unnecessary overlapping of activities, leading to a lack of proper coordination between the departments under the portfolio of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, which have responsibility for the management of this important project; AND WHEREAS this has led to a state of confusion and uncertainty, which, if allowed to continue, may severely compromise the successful completion of important infrastructure projects throughout the country; Page 14 of 17 AND WHEREAS this situation represents a source of frustration for Members of Parliament and other important stakeholders: BE IT RESOLVED that the Honourable House call on the Minister of Transport, Works and Housing to present to Parliament a comprehensive report as to the progress of the projects under JEEP 2; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Minister advise the Honourable House if and when any changes are contemplated to the existing methods of executing this critical programme.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 12TH FEBRUARY, 2013 18.

Mr. Mair – To move – [No.
27] WHEREAS there is a great uncertainty as to what the Government’s present policy position is on the reduction of the cost of energy; AND WHEREAS there is no clear time schedule as to when the cost of electricity will be reduced; AND WHEREAS it is imperative that we level the playing field in the energy sector so the people of Jamaica can benefit from the best prices available for fuel in the world market; AND WHEREAS the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is the sole provider of electricity and has to tender the supply of No.
2 Automotive Diesel Oil and No.

6 Heavy Fuel Oil for its generating plant facilities across the island; AND WHEREAS Petrojam is presently the sole provider of fuel to JPS and enjoys a local petroleum market share in excess of 80%, mainly due to trade protection: BE IT RESOLVED, by this Honourable House, that the Government of Jamaica remove the Common External Tariff on Automotive Diesel Oil and Heavy Fuel Oil.

NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 26TH FEBRUARY, 2013 19.

Miss Grange – To move – [No.
28] WHEREAS Jamaica’s national emblems and symbols are representative of our people, heritage, values and hopes for the future; created as visual triggers from both Jamaicans and foreigners alike; AND WHEREAS it is unacceptable to have images of Jamaica’s national flag or any other of Jamaica’s national emblems and symbols being desecrated; AND WHEREAS the recent burning and trampling on of the Jamaican flag in a television advertisement produced by a foreign company has reinforced the need for the formulation of policy guidelines and legislative framework regarding Jamaica’s national emblems and symbols; Page 15 of 17 AND WHEREAS the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, under the former Administration, had established an inter-ministerial committee, comprising representation from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Institute of Jamaica, the National Library of Jamaica, and the Attorney General’s Chambers, among others, to formulate policy guidelines for the management and regulation of the use, display and performance of Jamaica’s national emblems and symbols, and the enactment of appropriate legislation to give legal force and effect to the guidelines, as proposed; AND WHEREAS the use, display or performance of the national emblems and symbols continue to be handled in an ad hoc manner, with no specific agency providing definitive guidance with respect to their usage, with the exception of an incomplete draft Handbook of National Symbols (Office of the Prime Minister, 2004) and A Code for National Symbols; AND WHEREAS others continue to secure significant financial benefits from the usage of Jamaica’s national emblems and symbols, while Jamaica receives little to no financial gain; AND WHEREAS it is important to note that there is no legislative framework at this time which governs the use and management of the national flag even though it is particularly crucial that we regulate and manage the use of the national flag and
 the name of the country, in order to strengthen international lobbying and increases protection from abuse and misuse; AND WHEREAS countries such as Canada, Nigeria, Australia and Trinidad and Tobago have all enacted legislation which governs the use of their national flags, coats of arms and other national symbols; AND WHEREAS the completion of the work of the previous Administration will ensure that Jamaica’s national emblems and symbols are better safeguarded from abuse: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House call on the Government to continue the work of the inter-ministerial committee, put in place by the previous Administration, regarding the formulation of policy guidelines for the management and regulation of the use, display and performance of Jamaica’s national emblems and symbols and the enactment of appropriate legislation to give legal force and effect to the guidelines, as proposed; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVELD that this Honourable House call on the Government to proceed with the expansion and finalisation of the Handbook for National Symbols and Emblems as a reference publication for providing guidance on the management and regulation of the use, display and performance of Jamaica’s national symbols and emblems.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 5TH MARCH, 2013 Page 16 of 17 20.

Mr. Bartlett – To move – [No.

29] BE IT RESOLVED that the Report on the deliberations of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives on the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 5th day of March, 2013, be approved.

21.

Mr. Bartlett – To move – [No.


30] BE IT REVOLVED that the Report on the deliberations of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives on the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 5th day of March, 2013, be approved.

22.

Mr. Bartlett – To move – [No.


31] BE IT REVOLVED that the Report on the deliberations of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives on the Office of the Cabinet, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 5th day of March, 2013, be approved.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Page 17 of 17 17.07.2012 1. by the Senate to consider and report on Diaspora affairs.

Special Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar committee to be appointed 18.09.2012 2.
Special Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar committee appointed by the Senate to consider and report on a Bill shortly entitled “The Committal Proceedings Act, 2012.” 04.12.2012 Special Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar committee appointed by the 3.

Senate to consider and report on a Private Bill entitled “AN ACT to Amend the Baptist Mid-Missions in Jamaica (Incorporated) Act so as to change the name of the Act; and for connected matters.” 4.
Special Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar committee appointed by the Senate to consider and report on a Private Bill entitled “AN ACT to Amend the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World of Jamaica (Incorporation and Vesting) Law.” 5.

Special Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar committee appointed by the Senate to consider and report on a Private Bill entitled “AN ACT for the incorporation of the Mustard Seed Missionaries and the vesting of property in the body so incorporated.” 6.
Special Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar committee appointed by the Senate to consider and report on a Private Bill entitled “AN ACT for the incorporation of The International Missionary Society Seventh-Day Adventist Church Reform Movement Jamaican Field and the vesting of property in the body so incorporated.” 15.01.2013 Joint Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar Committee to be appointed by 7. the Senate to consider and report on the operation of the Cybercrimes Act, relative to the review of the legislation, in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
12.03.2013 8.

The Fiscal Policy Paper for the Financial Year 2012/2013 – Interim Report, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 12th day of March, 2013, referred to the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives, for consideration and report.

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