Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697806768734.pdf (Jamaica)
ORDER OF BUSINESS OF THE HONOURABLE JAMAICA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 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 11th (For answer on the 4 (For answer on the 11 (For answer on the 18 day of March, 2014 – Questions No.

17 and 18) th day of March, 2014 – Question No.

19) day of March, 2014 – Questions No.


20, 21 and 22) day of February, 2014 – Question No.

14) th th 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 19 Notice given on 04.03.2014 Notice given on 04.03.2014 1.
The Minister of Finance and Planning to move to introduce and have read a first time a Bill shortly entitled “The Public Bodies Management and Accountability (Amendment) Act, 2014”.

2.

The Minister of Finance and Planning to move to introduce and have read a first time a Bill shortly entitled “The Financial Administration and Audit (Amendment) Act, 2014”.

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Page 3 of 19 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.

2.
2.

The Prime Minister to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to Amend the 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.

The Prime Minister to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to Amend the 3.

Judicature (Appellate Jurisdiction) Act” be now read a second time.

4.
4.

The House to continue debate on the motion – BE IT RESOLVED, with reference to Ministry Paper No.

40 of 2013, dated May 7, 2013, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 8th day of May, 2013, that this Honourable House approve the Food and Nutrition Security Policy of the Government of Jamaica as submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Ministry of Health.

5.
5.

The Minister of Finance and Planning – To move – THE BAUXITE (PRODUCTION LEVY) ACT Capital Development Fund (Withdrawal) (No.

2) Order, 2014, Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Capital Development Fund (Withdrawal) (No.

2) Order, 2014, under the Bauxite (Production Levy) Act, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 4th day of March, 2014, be approved.

6.
The Minister of Finance and Planning – To move – THE CUSTOMS ACT The Customs Tariff (Revision) Amendment Resolution, 2014 Notice of second reading given on 23.04.2013 Notice of second reading given on 23.04.2013 Notice of second reading given on 23.04.2013 Notice given on 03.12.2013 Notice given on 04.03.2013 Notice given on 04.03.2013 WHEREAS, under the provisions of section 5 of the Customs Act, the House of Representatives may, from time to time, by Resolution, impose customs duties upon any goods which may be imported or exported from Jamaica, and revoke, reduce, increase or alter any customs duties so imposed and may provide for the importation or exportation of any goods without payment of customs duties thereon; Page 4 of 19 AND WHEREAS the House of Representatives, with effect from the 1st day of January, 1973, by Resolution entitled The Customs Tariff (Revision) Resolution, 1972, imposed the import customs duties set out in the First Schedule to the Resolution and provided for the admission into the Island of goods specified in the Second Schedule to such Resolution without payment of customs duties on such goods; AND WHEREAS it is desirable to amend the Second Schedule to the Customs Tariff (Resolution) 1972, in the manner hereinafter appearing: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by this Honourable House as follows: (i) This Resolution may be cited as (Revision) (Amendment) Resolution, 2014, and shall be read and construed as one with the Customs Tariff (Revision) Resolution, 1972 (hereinafter referred to as “the principal Resolution”), and all amendments thereto; the Customs Tariff (ii) With effect from the date of publication of this Resolution in the Gazette, the Second Schedule to the principal Resolution is amended by deleting the entry after Item 78 and substituting therefor the following as Item— “79.
General Goods of a value not exceeding fifty United States Dollars (US$50).

Note: In this Item, “value” means the FOB value of the contents.”.

Notice given on 04.03.2014 7.

The Minister of Finance and Planning – To move – BE IT RESOLVED that the Report of the Committee on Tax Measures on our deliberations on the Fiscal Policy Paper for the Financial Year 2013/2014 – Interim Report, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 4th day of March, 2014, be approved.
PRIVATE MEMBERS’ MOTIONS NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 24TH JANUARY, 2012 Page 5 of 19 1.

The House to continue debate on the motion – [No.
1] 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 WHEREAS 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.
2.

Mr. Samuda – To move – [No.
2] 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.
Page 6 of 19 NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 21ST FEBRUARY, 2012 3.

Mr. Samuda – To move – [No.
4] 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.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 29TH JANUARY, 2013 4.

Dr. Baugh – To move – [No.
13] 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; Page 7 of 19 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 5.

Mr. Samuda – To move – [No.
14] 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; 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 Page 8 of 19 6.

Mr. Mair – To move – [No.
15] 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 7.

Miss Grange – To move – [No.
16] 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; 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; Page 9 of 19 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 WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY, 2013 8.

Miss Grange – To move – [No.
17] WHEREAS the treatment of children in the care of the State is a matter of national concern, which has for too long, remained sub-optimal; AND WHEREAS the incarceration of children deemed “uncontrollable” and the holding of adolescents at adult correctional facilities have been among primary concerns in this regard; AND WHEREAS, in March 2013, the Office of the Children’s Advocate submitted the care of children deemed regarding to Parliament “uncontrollable”, and the holding of adolescent girls at the Fort Augusta Adult Correctional Facility, which recommendations are geared at improving the treatment and rehabilitation of such children: recommendations BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House urgently debate and adopt the recommendations Tabled by the Office of the Children’s Advocate.
Page 10 of 19 NOTICE GIVEN ON WEDNESDAY, 12TH JUNE, 2013 9.

Dr. Duncan – To move – [No.

18] BE IT RESOLVED that the Annual Report of the Committee appointed to examine and recommend for approval proposed Estimates for Constituency Projects, submitted to the Constituency Development Fund by respective Members of Parliament for the year 2012-2013, which was laid on the Table of the House of Representatives on the 12th day of June, 2013, be adopted.

NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 23RD JULY, 2013 10.


Mr. Henry – to move – [No.
20] WHEREAS the economies and fortunes of Europe, including Great Britain, were largely built upon the slave trade and slave labour; AND WHEREAS the British Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act, 1833, which abolished the slavery system under which the British slave owners were guaranteed an endless supply of free labour, which was critical to the productivity of their holdings; AND WHEREAS, by further political action, the British Parliament paid to the British slave owners a sum of £20M as economic compensation for the loss of the slaves who formed a major component of their production engine; AND WHEREAS no similar political action was taken by the British Parliament to compensate the former slaves or their descendants for their labour, which built the economies of Europe, including Great Britain, nor were the former slaves allowed to own land; AND WHEREAS the former slaves and their descendants should have been paid for their labour which built the economies of Europe, including Great Britain; AND WHEREAS the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), of which Jamaica is a member, took a decision to form a committee to oversee the work of a CARICOM Reparation Commission on July 6, 2013, to pursue reparation claims against Great Britain and other slave trading countries; AND WHEREAS the Rastafari have had their case for reparation to Africa approved by this House; and a National Reparation Committee was established by this Honourable House: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House debate the issue, as set out in the prayer, and make the political decision by a vote that the Government of Jamaica is entitled, on behalf of the former slaves and via the basic tenets of labour law and human rights, to receive payment from Great Britain, equivalent to the sum paid to the British slave owners as compensation for the loss of slave labour; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the payment be used to clear off all the debt of Jamaica and to improve the education, infrastructural development, and health sectors, and a portion be set
 aside for the reparation of African Jamaicans to Africa; Page 11 of 19 AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Honourable House enjoin other CARICOM countries to make similar political decisions on this matter, and that this Honourable House instructs the Government of Jamaica to take this case of genocide to the International Court of Justice to value the economic cost of chattel slavery to Jamaica and the further compensation that should flow for the abuse of human rights and the attendant denial of culture and history, murder, rape and wanton abuse of power in flogging, branding, and denial of freedom of movement, freedom to worship, freedom to own land, and the right to education, which were the hallmark of slavery.
11.

Dr. Baugh – to move – [No.
21] WHEREAS the Minister of Health is empowered under the Public Health Act to provide regulations for the maintenance of the health and well-being of the nation; AND WHEREAS the Minister made regulations to restrict and prohibit the smoking of cigarettes in various public spaces; AND WHEREAS these regulations have not been fully circulated and presented to Parliament: BE IT RESOLVED that these regulations be Tabled in the House and referred to the Human Resource and Social Development Committee for immediate review and for its recommendation.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 8TH OCTOBER, 2013 12.

The House to continue debate on the motion – [No.
24] WHEREAS section 35(3) of the Representation of the People Act (the Act) states that “The elector…shall forthwith enter one of the polling compartments and there mark his ballot paper by making a cross with a black lead pencil within the space containing the name of the candidate for whom he intends to vote…”; AND WHEREAS there are other implements other than a black lead pencil that can be used to effect such mark for the candidate of one’s choice; AND WHEREAS there are other marks other than a cross that an elector may make in the place containing the name of the candidate of one’s choice: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House take the necessary action to have the appropriate amendments done to section 35(3) of the Act to provide that any implement that an elector finds appropriate or convenient to use to make the required mark shall be lawful; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that further amendments be made to the said section 35(3) of the Act to make any mark placed on a ballot by an elector in the place containing the name of the candidate of his choice shall be valid, and not limited to a cross.
Page 12 of 19 13.

The House to continue debate on the motion – [No.
25] WHEREAS section 33 of the Representation of the People Act (the Act) specified that “The poll shall be taken in each polling station…between the hours of seven o’clock in the forenoon and five o’clock in the afternoon…”; AND WHEREAS there are many changes to the circumstances which influenced the setting of the time for polling; AND WHEREAS we are now in an electronic age: BE IT RESOLVED that section 33 of the Act be amended, allowing the time for polling on an election day to be between the hours of seven o’clock in the forenoon and six o’clock in the afternoon.
14.

The House to continue debate on the motion – [No.

26] WHEREAS section 44(3) of the Representation of the People Act (the Act) states “If, in the course of counting the votes any ballot paper is found with the counterfoil still attached thereto, the presiding officer shall (carefully concealing the numbers thereon from all persons present and without examining them himself) remove and destroy such counterfoil.
He shall not reject the ballot merely by reason of his former failure to remove the counterfoil.”: BE IT RESOLVED that this section be amended to add “or the counterfoil having been removed above or below the perforated lines”.

15.

Mr. Warmington – To move – [No.
27] WHEREAS the required independent position of Dr. Herbert Thompson on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (the Commission) is compromised by his acceptance of a political award; AND WHEREAS his position as Chairman of the Commission became untenable due to his action, which led to his resignation of the position; ANDWHEREAS the reasons that convinced him to resign as Chairman ought to have convinced him that his place on the Commission is also tenable; AND WHEREAS the judgment of Dr. Thompson is called into question: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House call on Dr. Thompson to immediately relinquish his position as a Commissioner on the Commission.
16.

The House to continue debate on the motion– [No.
28] WHEREAS section 41A(1) of the Representation of the People Act (the Act) specifies that every candidate in an election may appoint such person as he thinks fit to be outdoor agent and shall issue to any such outdoor agent appointed by him a certificate of appointment in the prescribed form specifying the polling station in respect of which the agent is appointed; Page 13 of 19 AND WHEREAS, in many cases, returning officers, election day workers, auxiliary or one-day police and members of the security forces have prevented these said agents from effectively carrying out the functions for which they were appointed; AND WHEREAS the reason given is that these agents cannot be on the compound where the poll is being conducted, and, in other cases, these agents must be hundreds of metres away from the polling station; AND WHEREAS section 77(1) of the Act does not apply to outdoor agents; AND WHEREAS section 41A(3) of the Act specifies the distance for the outdoor agents to be not less than twenty yards from the polling stations; AND WHEREAS no agent can carry out the function for which he or she was appointed, being such distance from where polling is being conducted: BE IT RESOLVED that section 41A(1) of the Act be amended to allow the persons appointed by a candidate as his agents to be within the precincts of and closer than the twenty yards to the polling stations, as now specified, so that the agents will be able to carry out the duties for which they were appointed.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 29TH OCTOBER, 2013 17.

Mr. Vaz – To move – [No.
29] WHEREAS there is a constant lack of potable water from the National Water Commission (NWC) and the Portland Parish Council sources due to severe drought and a dysfunctional water supply system, which has become a source of frustration and inconvenience, and further poses a health hazard with the possibility of an outbreak of disease; AND WHEREAS this lack of potable water has resulted in the closure of businesses and schools and the disruption of the daily lives of the constituents residing in a number of communities in Western Portland, some of whom have now resorted to public demonstration and the blocking of roads as a means of appealing to the relevant authorities; AND WHEREAS funds totalling Five Million One Hundred and Sixty-three Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($5,163,200) have been spent, since January 2013, from the Member of Parliament’s Constituency Development Fund allocation, as well as funds from the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Local Government and Community Development and the Portland Parish Council; notwithstanding, these funds have proved inadequate to alleviate the water woes of the residents: BE IT RESOLVED that the NWC, the other above-named public sector entities, and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management treat the water situation in Western Portland as a situation of dire emergency, and release emergency funds to assist in the scheduled delivery of water to the affected areas; Page 14 of 19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Government of Jamaica formulate a long term sustainable plan to make provision for an adequate water supply system, not only in the constituency of Western Portland but throughout the entire Parish of Portland, and other parishes which are similarly affected by drought from time to time.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 5TH NOVEMBER, 2013 18.

Mrs. Robinson – To move – [No.
30] WHEREAS the country’s natural resource endowment such as its beaches, rivers, landscape, flora and fauna are key features of our total offerings as a small island-state; AND WHEREAS these resources are integral to continued national development, economic expansion and the facilitation of social cohesion; AND WHEREAS no effort should be spared in ensuring that these resources are preserved and protected for this and generations to come: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House, particularly as it relates to “Little Dunn’s River” and other similar attractions, carefully consider the plight of locals and ventilate the keenly contested issues associated with the current state and use of said facilities; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Government consider the options available to us as a country, and come up with a clear and decisive policy as it relates to public beaches and places for recreation that are a part of the natural environment, with a view to making them more accessible and amenable to all Jamaicans.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 4TH FEBRUARY, 2014 19.

Mr. Bartlett – To move – [No.

31] BE IT RESOLVED that the deliberations of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives, for the period July to December, 2013, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 4th day of February, 2014, be approved.

NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 11TH FEBRUARY, 2014 20.

Mr. Mair – To move – [No.
32] WHEREAS the Government of China, through China Harbour Engineering Company, and our Government are currently negotiating the development of elements of a logistics hub in Jamaica, and the Chairman of the Port Authority of Jamaica has recently confirmed that a port will be built in the vicinity of the Goat Islands in the Portland Bight Protected Area as part of the logistics hub; AND WHEREAS the Portland Bight Protected Area, which includes the Goat Islands, the Hellshire Hills and the adjoining coastline, was created in 1999 under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act because of its biological diversity and important functions, including three fish sanctuaries declared under the Fishing Industry Act, six game sanctuaries declared under the Wild Life Protection Act, and two forest reserves declared under the Forest Act; Page 15 of 19 AND WHEREAS there has been no detailed disclosure on the scope of works, the precise location and the consequent environmental impact or economic benefit the operations at the Goat Islands port could have on our country, neither has the Government provided sufficient information to the nation as to the reason why the Goat Islands and its environs would be the best option for a port, and whether or not other sites were considered and rejected; AND WHEREAS the Environmental Management Scoping Report, commissioned by the Government with the intention of guiding its decision-making, is believed to contain flaws and inaccuracies and is, therefore, an unsatisfactory basis on which to make a pronouncement that is in the best and long term interests of Jamaica, with the concomitant risk of irreversible and devastating ecological impacts if a trans-shipment port, logistics hub, or any form of massive development were to take place on the Goat Islands and its environs: BE IT RESOLVED that this matter be referred to the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee of this Honourable House for it to take the necessary steps to enquire into the benefits and/or losses that our
 country could incur if any part of the Portland Bight Protected Area were to become part of the logistics hub; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Government of Jamaica put on hold any final agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company for the development of a logistics hub in Jamaica until this Honourable House receive and deliberate on the report from the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 18TH FEBRUARY, 2014 21.

Mr. Chuck – To move – [No.
33] WHEREAS it was anticipated that the Electoral Commission would be responsible for the national registration and identification of all citizens; AND WHEREAS the electoral commissioners, the returning officers and electoral offices are not fully employed outside the election periods, and are presently under- utilised: BE IT RESOLVED that the Government bring the relevant legislation to start and complete the national registration and identification system to Parliament urgently; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Electoral Commission be renamed as The National Registration Commission to register every Jamaican citizen from birth or naturalization; AND BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED that the Electoral Commission (renamed The National Registration Commission) continue its work to oversee and conduct national elections.
Page 16 of 19 NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 25TH FEBRUARY, 2014 22.

Dr. Bloomfield – To move – [No.
34] WHEREAS non-communicable and lifestyle diseases comprise the leading causes of major diseases and death worldwide; AND WHEREAS obesity is an important factor in the genesis of the major non- communicable diseases including hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer; AND WHEREAS obesity constitutes an ever alarming and increasing epidemic worldwide, and specifically in Jamaica, where it engenders an unbearable economic burden and social challenge, as obesity impacts numerous areas of community and social life: BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives debate the concept of obesity and its relevance, in light of its growing importance as a public health concern and its great social and economic implications; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this issue of obesity be referred to the Human Resource and Social Development Committee for its deliberation in terms of: (i) The national obesity profile and its implications; (ii) The usefulness of creating a national public awareness campaign framework; (iii) The inclusion of obesity as a nosological entity within the national health service management structure and subject to the National Health Fund and the Jamaica Drugs for the Elderly Programme, and other programmes; and (iv) The institution of regulations by the respective government ministries and agencies as they relate to: (a) Diet and exercise requirements in government facilities such as in health and education; (b) The establishment of guidelines for publication of nutritional value of food offered for public consumption; (c) The establishment of guidelines for the publication of caloric value content for food offered to the public by food outlets; and (d) General therapeutic strategies and related matters to address the problem of obesity.
Page 17 of 19 NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 4TH MARCH, 2014 22.

Mr. Samuda – To move – [No.

34] BE IT RESOLVED that the Report of the Economy and Production Committee on our deliberations on Private Members’ Motion No.
6 of 2013, calling for the repealing and replacing of section 37 of the Agricultural Produce Act and the combination and review of the Praedial Larceny Prevention Act and the Agricultural Produce Act, brought by the Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth, North Western, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 4th day of March, 2014, be approved.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Page 18 of 19 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 04.12.2012 2.

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 Baptist Mid-Missions in Jamaica (Incorporated) Act so as to change the name of the Act; and for connected matters.” 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 Pentecostal Assemblies of the World of Jamaica (Incorporation and Vesting) Law.” Special Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar committee appointed by the 4.

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.” 19.03.2013 5.
Private Members’ Motion No.

3 of 2013, regarding emoluments being paid to members of the Electoral Commission, brought by the Member of Parliament for St. Catherine, South Western, referred to the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives for consideration and report.

Private Members’ Motion No.


12 of 2013, regarding the termination of payments 6. being made from the public purse to political representatives, that is, nominated members on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, brought by the Member of Parliament for St. Catherine, South Western, referred to the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives for consideration and report.

01.05.2013 7.
01.05.2013 7.

Special Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar committee to be appointed by the Senate to consider and report on the operation of the Independent Commission of Investigations Act, relative to the review of the legislation, in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

26.06.2013 8.
26.06.2013 8.

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 Power of Faith Ministries International and the vesting of property in the body so incorporated”.

23.07.2013 9.

Private Members’ Motion No.


8 of 2013, mandating the Human Resource and Social Development Committee to urgently examine the adequacy and affordability of funding tertiary education in Jamaica, brought by the Member of Parliament for Saint Page 19 of 19 Ann, North Western, referred to the Human Resource and Social Development Committee of the House of Representatives for consideration and report.

01.10.2013 10.
01.10.2013 10.

Special Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar committee to be appointed by the Senate to consider and report on Private Members’ Motion No.

11 of 2012, as amended, brought by the Member of Parliament for Saint James, North Western, regarding the need for a comprehensive review of climate change projections, and approval by the House of Representatives, on the 10th day of September, 2013.

12.11.2013 11.
12.11.2013 11.

Economy and Production Committee to consider and report on Private Members’ Motion No.

31 of 2013 as amended, brought by the Member of Parliament for St. Catherine, Southern, regarding charges being levied by banks and credit unions.

26.11.2013 Internal and External Affairs Committee to consider and report on Private 12.

Members’ Motion No.
Members’ Motion No.

22 of 2013, brought by the Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth, North Eastern, regarding the need for legislation in Jamaica that will require civil society groups – in keeping with emerging global financial and ethical requirements – to vouchsafe and protect Jamaica’s democracy.

13.

Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee to consider and report on Private Members’ Motion No.
9 of 2012, brought by the Member of Parliament for Kingston, Western, regarding the drafting of necessary legislation for the mandatory evacuation of persons in areas threatened by natural disasters.

21.01.2014 14.

Special Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar committee appointed by the Senate to consider and report on a Bill shortly entitled “The Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, 2013”.

25.02.2014 15.
25.02.2014 15.

Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives to consider and report on the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year ending March 31, 2014, and the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of Public Bodies 2013/2014 – Supplementary Estimates.

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