Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697807658500.pdf (Jamaica)
MINUTES OF THE HONOURABLE JAMAICA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES At a meeting of the Members of the House of Representatives held pursuant to adjournment at Gordon House in the City and Parish of Kingston on Tuesday, the 22ND DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2011.

The House met at 2:23 p.m. o’clock.

Prayers were offered by Mrs. Sharon Hay-Webster.

Call of the Roll.
PRESENT WERE: The Honourable Delroy Hawmin Chuck, Speaker Mrs. Marisa Colleen Dalrymple-Philibert, MP, Deputy Speaker The Honourable Andrew Michael Holness, MP, Minister of Education & Leader of the House The Honourable Orette Bruce Golding, MP, Prime Minister & Minister of Defence The Honourable Pearnel Patroe Charles, C.D., MP, Minister of Labour and Social Security The Honourable Dr. Horace Anthony Chang, MP, Minister of Water and Housing The Honourable Lester Michael Henry, C.D., MP, Minister of Transport and Works The Honourable Neville Andrew Gallimore, MP, Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security & Deputy Leader Dr. the Honourable Christopher Charles Tufton, MP, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries The Honourable Clifford Everald Errol Warmington, MP, Minister of State in the Ministry of Water and Housing The Honourable Shahine Elizabeth Robinson, MP, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister The Honourable William James Charles Hutchinson, MP, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries The Honourable Robert St. Aubyn Montague, MP, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister The Honourable Michael Anthony Stern, MP, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Investment The Honourable Laurence George Broderick, MP, Minister of State in the Ministry of Energy and Mining Mr. Noel George Delano Arscott, MP, Clarendon, South Western Mr. Peter Murcott Bunting, MP, Manchester, Central Mr. Roger Harold Clifford Clarke, MP, Westmoreland, Central Dr. Omar Lloyd Davies, MP, St. Andrew, Southern Mr. Colin Alfred Alexander Fagan, MP, St. Catherine, South Eastern Dr. Fenton Rudyard Ferguson, MP, St. Thomas, Eastern Dr. Morais Valentine Guy, MP, St. Mary, Central Ms. Lisa Rene Shanti Hanna, MP, St. Ann, South Eastern Mr. Ian Dave Hayles, MP, Hanover, Western Mrs. Sharon Merle Hay-Webster, MP, St. Catherine, South Central Mrs. Maxine Antoinette Henry-Wilson, MP, St. Andrew, South Eastern Mr. Joseph Uriah Hibbert, MP, St. Andrew, East Rural
 Mr. George Anthony Hylton, MP, St. Andrew, Western Mr. Fitz Arthur Jackson, MP, St. Catherine, Southern Mr. Derrick Flavius Kellier, C.D., MP, St. James, Southern 2 Mr. Desmond Gregory Mair, MP, St. Catherine, North Eastern Mr. Phillip Feanny Paulwell, MP, Kingston Eastern & Port Royal Mr. Dean Alexander Peart, C.D., MP, Manchester, North Western Mr. Michael Anthony Peart, MP, Manchester, Southern Mr. Tarn Andrew Peralto, MP, St. Mary, South Eastern Dr. Donald Gladstone St. Clair Rhodd, MP, Portland, Eastern The Most Honourable Portia Lucretia Simpson Miller, O.N., Leader of the Opposition and MP, St. Andrew, South Western Mr. Kern O’Mar Spencer, MP, St. Elizabeth, North Eastern Reverend Ronald George Thwaites, MP, Kingston, Central Mr. Franklin Robert Witter, MP, St. Elizabeth, South Eastern The Speaker of the House, the Honourable Delroy Chuck, reminded Members of the provision of Standing Order 41 which states “The Speaker in the House and the Chairman in any Committee shall be responsible for the observance of the rules of order in the House and Committee respectively and their decision upon any point of order shall not be open to appeal and shall not be reviewed by the House except upon a substantive motion made after notice”.
He advised Members that the Speaker had the right to suspend Members from sittings for unruly behaviour and that if the sitting should get too unruly and he should stand in his place, any Member speaking at that time would be immediately removed from the House.
The Speaker further advised that all rulings of the Speaker must be accepted and respected by Members and that if a Member should think that a ruling is unfair a motion could be put to the House and, if approved by a two-thirds majority, the ruling would be reversed.

The Minister of Education and Leader of the House, the Honourable Andrew Holness and the Leader of Opposition Business, Mr. Derrick Kellier, endorsed the Speaker’s remarks.
(Mr. Derrick Smith, M.P., St. Andrew, North Western, entered and took his seat).

3 The Clerk laid on the Table of the House a copy of the following: ANNOUNCEMENTS Ministry Paper No.

12/11 and Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) for the financial year 2006/2007 (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries) Ministry Paper No.
13/11 entitled Cabinet Agenda Issues for February 7, 2011 (Cabinet Offices) The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for the financial year 2008/2009 (Ministry of Transport & Works) Auditor General’s Performance Audit Report of the Ministry of Health’s Management of the supply of Prescription Drugs to meet the needs of the Population (Auditor General’s Department) Report of the Sessional Select Committee on Infrastructure and Physical Development on its deliberations on the Private Members’ Motion regarding the need for a Revised Code and Appropriate Enforcing Authority for Driver Education; to improve the Integrity of the Prevailing System of Vehicle Inspection and consider amendments to the Road Traffic Act (Houses of Parliament) The Electoral Divisions (Corporate Area) Order, 2011 under The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation Act (Electoral Office) The Electoral Divisions (Parishes) Order, 2011 under The Parish Council Act (Electoral Office) Maps of the Constituencies and Polling Divisions And the Descriptions of the Polling Divisions (Electoral Office) 4 Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA) Special Report On the Review of OCA entitled: “5 Years of Protecting and Enforcing the Rights of Children” (Office of the Children’s Advocate) (Mr. Clive Mullings, M.P., St. James, West Central, entered and took his seat).
BILLS BROUGHT FROM THE HONOURABLE SENATE The Clerk presented the following message from the President of the Senate: TO THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I have the honour to advise the Honourable House of Representatives that on the 18th day of February, 2011, the following Bills were passed in the Senate: 1.

“AN ACT to Amend the National Health Fund Act”, passed without amendment; 2.
“AN ACT to Postpone the holding of a General Election under the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation Act and for purposes connected therewith”, passed without amendment; and 3.

“AN ACT to Postpone the holding of a General Election under the Parish Councils Act and for purposes connected therewith” passed without amendment.

Oswald G. Harding, O.J., C.D., Q.C.

President of the Senate (The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Investment, the Honourable Karl Samuda, entered and took his seat).
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES Mr. Derrick Kellier, on behalf of the Chairman of the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee, laid on the Table of the House a copy of the Report of the Sessional Select Committee on Infrastructure and Physical Development on its deliberations on the Private Members’ motion regarding the need for a revised code and appropriate enforcing authority for driver education; to improve the integrity of the prevailing system of vehicle inspection and consider amendments to the Road Traffic Act: Members of this Honourable House are reminded that on the 27th March 2008, the House of Representatives, approved the following resolution: 5 BE IT RESOLVED that notwithstanding Standing Order No.
68 (3) and in accordance with Standing Orders Nos.

68 (1)(h) and 73 C this Honourable House appoint an Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee comprising the following Members: Mr. Robert Pickersgill – Chairman Mr. Joseph Hibbert Hon.

William J. C. Hutchinson Hon.

Clifford Everald Warmington Hon.

Shahine Robinson Hon.

Michael Stern Hon.
Robert Montague Mr. Franklyn Witter Mr. Dean Peart Mr. Derrick Kellier Dr. Fenton Ferguson Mr. Luther Buchanan Mr. Noel Arscott With the following duties: (a) (b) (c) (d) receiving and examining policy documents and statements from Ministries and Government agencies within the purview of the Committee; receiving and considering legislative proposals submitted to the Committee and making recommendations regarding proposed legislation to Cabinet through Legislation Committee; receiving submissions from citizens and organizing meetings between citizens, community groups, sectoral organizations, Members of Parliament and representatives of Government agencies to facilitate exchange of views on the operations of the Government and their effect on communities and groups in the society; and organizing meetings with relevant organizations in order to seek such information on their activities as the public interest may demand.
On the 28th October, 2008 the House passed a further resolution deleting the name “Dean Peart” from the list of appointed members and substituting therefor the name “Colin Fagan”.
Members are further reminded that, by virtue of a resolution approved by this Honourable House on the 31st of March 2009 and subsequently on March 17, 2010, the composition of the Committee, as set out above, was made to continue in force for the 2009/2010 and the 2010/2011 sessions of Parliament and the Committee empowered to proceed with matters that were before it from the stage reached at prorogation.

On the 9th February, 2011, Rev.
Ronald Thwaites, M.P., Central Kingston having obtained suspension of the Standing Orders moved: 6 WHEREAS hundreds of Jamaicans are killed or suffer injury and economic loss each year as a result of road accidents; AND WHEREAS a heavy and unnecessary burden is placed on public expenditure; AND WHEREAS driver incompetence, indiscipline and incapacity and defective vehicles have been identified as major contributory causes to road accidents: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House recommend to the Government: - - - The need for a revised code and appropriate enforcing authority for driver education and testing.
To improve the integrity of the prevailing system of vehicle inspection Consider amendments to the Road Traffic Act which: (a) (b) would prescribe driver re-education for traffic offenders at the discretion of the court; provides for the obligatory recertification of all holders of drivers’ licences at specific intervals to be determined.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all of these measures be undertaken at the expense of the applicants.
Members are also reminded that in accordance with Standing Order 26A (1), the motion stands referred to the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee for the appropriateness of the subject for submission to the Cabinet to be considered, the Committee shall submit its report within 14 days of the referral of the motion.

Your Committee held one (1) meeting to deliberate the motion.
We took the decision that it was not possible to complete our deliberations on the subject matters and submit a report to the Parliament within 14 days as we would need to consult with officers from the agencies that have a good knowledge of the issues contained in the motion.

We are therefore requesting suspension of the Standing Order in order to seek an extension of one month to complete our deliberations on the matter.
APPENDIX I ATTENDANCE (1 meeting) Mr. Robert Pickersgill, Chairman Mr. Joseph Hibbert Hon.

William J. C. Hutchinson Present 1 1 0 Absent Apology - - 1 - - 0 7 Hon.

Clifford Everald Warmington Hon.

Michael Stern Hon.

Robert Montague Hon.
Shahine Robinson Mr. Franklin Witter Mr. Colin Fagan Mr. Derrick Kellier Dr. Fenton Ferguson Mr. Luther Buchanan Mr. Noel Arscott 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 NOTICES OF MOTIONS GIVEN ORALLY Mr. Derrick Kellier, on behalf of the Chairman of the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee, gave notice that at the next meeting of the House he would move: BE IT RESOLVED that the Report of the Sessional Select Committee on Infrastructure and Physical Development on its deliberations on the Private Members’ motion regarding the need for a revised code and appropriate enforcing authority for driver education; to improve the integrity of the prevailing system of vehicle inspection and consider amendments to the Road Traffic Act, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 22nd day of February, 2011, be adopted.
He further gave notice that at a later stage that day he would move for the suspension of the Standing Orders to enable him to take the motion.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Honourable Pearnel Charles, gave notice that at the next meeting of the House he would move to introduce and have read a first time a Bill shortly entitled “The Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) (Amendment) Act, 2011”.
The Minister of Education and Leader of the House gave notice that at the next meeting of the House he would move: 1.
WHEREAS subsections (1)(g)(i) of section 41 of the Constitution of Jamaica require a Member of this Honourable House of Representatives to vacate his seat if any firm in which he is a partner, or any company of which he is a director or manager, becomes a party to any contract with the Government of Jamaica for or on account of the public service; AND WHEREAS the Member of Parliament for Portland, Eastern, is a Director of CTW Enterprises Limited, which may enter into contracts with the Government of Jamaica: 8 BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House, pursuant to subsection (1)(g)(i) of section 41 of the Constitution and in recognition of him having disclosed the nature of such contracts and his interest therein, exempt the said Member from vacating his seat for reasons of the contracts as aforesaid: AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this motion be referred to the Ethics Committee for consideration and report.
the 17th day of March, 2010, 2.
WHEREAS on this Honourable House of Representatives gave approval for the Sessional Select Committees which were appointed in that session of Parliament to continue in this Session with unchanged composition of membership except where necessary by further motion taken and approved by this Honourable House: BE IT RESOLVED with reference to the Standing Orders, Infrastructure and Physical Development and Human Resources and Social Development Committees that the name “Shahine Robinson” which was deleted be added thereto.
He further gave notice that at a later stage that day he would move for the suspension of the Standing Orders to enable him to take the motions.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS The Leader of the Opposition, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, gave notice that at the expiration of 21 days she would ask the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the following question: Part 1: Part 2: Part 3: Does the Minister recall making an announcement that the Government of Singapore will be assisting Jamaica with the laying of a new running track at the National Stadium?
Under that Agreement, was the track to have been a gift from the Government of Singapore?

Will the Minister give details on the financing of a trip of a delegation from Jamaica to Singapore in regard to this Agreement?

Part 4: Who were the members of that delegation?


Part 5: Will the Minister: (a) indicate the current status of that Agreement/Proposal (b) state if the Agreement has been aborted Part 6: Will the Minister give full details on the financing and contracting arrangements for the laying of the new track?
9 Reverend Ronald Thwaites gave notice that at the expiration of 21 days he would ask the Minister of Education, the following question: Part 1: What are the arrangements for bonding those students who benefit from public funding, in whole or part, for their tertiary training?

(Mrs. Natalie Neita-Headley, M.P., St. Catherine, East Central, entered and took her seat).

(Dr. Donald K. Duncan, M.P., Hanover, Eastern, entered and took his seat).
(Mr. Luther Buchanan, M.P., Westmoreland, Eastern, entered and took his seat).

(The Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Information and Telecommunications, the Honourable Daryl Vaz, entered and took his seat).

(The Minister of Energy and Mining, the Honourable James Robertson, entered and took his seat).

(The Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett, entered and took his seat).
(Dr. Esmond V. Patrick Harris, M.P., Trelawny, Northern, entered and took his seat).

Dr. Donald Rhodd asked the Minister of Water and Housing, the following question: Will the Minister please state – Part 1.

Part 2.

Part 3.

Part 4.

Part 5.

When the work will recommence on the Port Antonio Water Drainage and Sewage Project?

What are the new cost implications, having discontinued the original plan and work?
Whether or not the European Union (EU) will continue to be the funding partner of the Government of Jamaica (GOJ)?

If the answer to Part 3 is in the affirmative, what will be the contributions of the GOJ and the EU, respectively?

If the answer to Part 4 is in the negative, who will be the new funding partner of the GOJ and what financial contribution will be required of both the GOJ and the new partner?

10 Part 6.
10 Part 6.

Whether or not the Minister is aware that the discontinuation in the implementation of the project is delaying the development plan of Port Antonio and the surrounding communities?

Part 7.

If the answer to Part 6 is in the affirmative, whether or not this will be given priority in the next financial year?
The Minister of Water and Housing, the Honourable Dr. Horace Chang, responded as follows: Answer to Part 1: Work on the Port Antonio Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Project has been deferred, partly because of increased cost and the lack of fiscal space.

Some provision has been made for the continuation of the water supply aspect of the project during FY2011/12 and this is expected to continue for three (3) years.

Answer to Part 2: Works were never discontinued.


Answer to Part 3: The project was never funded by the European Union (EU).

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has not indicated that they will withdraw their financial assistance to the GOJ for the project.

Answer to Part 4: Not Applicable Answer to Part 5: The funding schedule is: EIB = GOJ = NWC = 450/0 450/0; and 100/0 The EIB is not obligated to adjust its contribution to the project above the previous level to cater for any increased cost.
Answer to Part 6: The Minister is not aware of any specific delay on projects in Port Antonio.

The current level of investments enhanced by the K-Factor is unprecedented since 2008.

11 Answer to Part 7: The project will continue to be given due attention for implementation in accordance with fiscal space and economic reality.

Mr. Roger Clarke asked the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries the following question: Part 1.

Part 2.

Part 3.
Part 2.

Part 3.

Would the Minister indicate the amount of sugar produced by the Government-owned sugar estates for the 2008-2009 sugar crop?

Would the Minister indicate the original estimate for the Government- owned sugar estates?

Would the Minister indicate what amount of sugar was committed to be sold to the Italian firm Eridania?

Part 4.

Would the Minister state if the commitment to Eridania was met?

Part 5.

Would the Minister state the price paid by Eridania for sugar bought?

Part 6.
Part 6.

Would the Minister state the cost per pound for producing sugar by the Government-owned sugar estates for the last crop?

Part 7.

Would the Minister state the price for sugar sold on the local market?

Part 8.

Part 9.

Would the Minister state the price for sugar sold to the United Sates of America for the last crop and the agreed price for this crop?

Would the Minister state the price of sugar on the world market for the last crop and the current rate?

Part 10.
Part 10.

Would the Minister state how much sugar is committed to Tate and Lyle for this crop and at what price?

Part 11.

Would the Minister state what the estimated production will be on the Government-owned estates and the production cost?

(Mr. Robert Pickersgill, M.P., St. Catherine, North Western, entered and took his seat).

(Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlett, M.P., St. Andrew, Eastern, entered and took his seat).

(Dr. Kenneth Wykeham McNeill, M.P., Westmoreland, Western, entered and took his seat).
(Mr. Ernest Smith, M.P., St. Ann, South Western, entered and took his seat).

12 The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. the Honourable Christopher Tufton, responded as follows: Answer to Part 1: 72,508 metric tonnes of raw cane (bulk) sugar.

Answer to Part 2: 95,271 metric tonnes of raw cane (bulk) sugar (2008-2009 Crop).
Answer to Part 3: Seventy nine thousand (79,000) metric tonnes of raw cane (bulk) sugar Answer to Part 4: Yes Answer to Part 5: Three hundred and sixty three point six zero euro (€363.60) CIF per metric tonne raw cane (bulk) sugar, inclusive of polarization premium and profit share.

This price is equivalent to approximately US$473 or J$31,270 (J$86 to US$1.00).

Answer to Part 6: Thirty-four US cents per pound (US$0.341lb) was realized.
Answer to Part 7: The price of brown sugar sold to the local market is J$71,000.00 per metric tonne; (the last increase was in November 2010).

The previous price was J$67,000.00 per metric tonne.

Answer to Part 8: For the last crop (2009-2010), the agreed price of bulk sugar sold to the US was an average of US$641.51 or J$55,170 per metric tonne (J$86 to US$1).
For this crop (2010-2011), the agreed price for the sole shipment to the US in February 2011 is US$820.00 or J$70,520 per metric tonne (J$86 to US$1).

Answer to Part 9: World market prices are volatile and fluctuate daily.

13 For the last crop (2009-2010), price ranged from a minimum of fifteen point three zero US cents per pound (US$0.1530/Ib) recorded in April 2010, to a high of twenty nine point four five US cents per pound (U$0.2945/lb) recorded in January 2010.
For the current crop (2010-2011), price ranged from a minimum of thirty one point eight zero US cents per pound (US$0.3180/Ib) recorded in January 2011, to a high of thirty five point six two cents per pound (U$0.3562/Ib) recorded in February 2011.

Answer to Part 10: 100,000 metric tonnes of raw cane (bulk) sugar is committed to Tate & Lyle.

The agreed price is three hundred and seventy euro (€370.00) (US$506.3) ClF per metric tonne.
To this will be added a polarisation premium and a profit share per metric tonne, to be determined after the sugar is exported.

Answer to Part 11 Estimated production is 92,500 metric tonnes of bulk sugar, while estimated production cost is J$4.5 billion.

Please note; the budgeted sugar volume was originally 102,300 metric tonnes.
However, the adverse effect of Tropical Storm Nicole in October 2010 resulted in flooding of sugar cane fields, thereby resulting in a decline in harvestable sugar cane, and consequently a reduction in expected sugar yield (volume).

(The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Honourable Olivia Grange, entered and took her seat).

(The Minister of Health, the Honourable Rudyard Spencer, entered and took his seat).
The Minister of Education and Leader of the House informed the House that Question 40 on the Question Notice Paper, notice of which was given by Reverend Ronald Thwaites, was answered by way of Ministry Paper 9/2011 which was tabled on February 8, 2011.

Reverend Ronald Thwaites, by leave, withdrew the Question from the Question Notice Paper.
Ms. Lisa Hanna asked if the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture was prepared to respond to follow-up questions to Question 34 which was answered on February 8, 2011.

The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture requested the follow-up questions in a written format, Ms. Hanna indicated that this would be done.
The Minister of Education and Leader of the House sought the leave of the Speaker and the member asking, to answer question 41 on the Question Notice Paper, notice of which was given by Reverend Ronald Thwaites on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 and due to be asked on February 23, 2011.

14 Leave granted.

Reverend Ronald Thwaites asked the Minister of Education and Leader of the House the following question: Part 1.

Part 2.

Part 3.
Part 2.

Part 3.

Will the Minister please state what proportions of Jamaican products are used in the School Feeding Programme?

Will the Minister please state what is preventing the inclusion of Jamaican eggs and juices into the School Feeding Programme?

Will the Minister please state what is the timeframe for more extensive use of local agricultural output in the School Feeding Programme?
The Minister of Education and Leader of the House responded as follows: Answer to Part 1: It is impossible to give an accurate proportion of local goods consumed in the Nutrition Programmes of the Ministry of Education.

There are two programmes that provide nutrition support to students: 1.

Nutritious baked snack and milk programme produced by Nutrition Products Limited (NPL).
NPL is a government owned company which produces various baked products which are fortified with the necessary nutrients and vitamins in line with 1/3 of the recommended daily caloric needs of primary school age children.

Currently, 136,000 students daily, covering 836 schools from the early childhood level to the primary and junior high levels, benefit from the programme.

Students are asked to make a small contribution of J$2 to the snacks but no child is denied if they cannot make the contribution.
The J$2 contribution is well below the J$30 unit cost to produce the snacks.

This year, the Ministry of Education spent J$780m on the operations of Nutrition Products Limited.

Four Hundred and Sixty-eight Million J$486m or 60% of the total budget represents raw material costs of which $402.5m or 86% went into the procurement of flour, dried skimmed milk, butter oil, nutrients/additives and flavourings.
These products are purchased from local suppliers, however from general knowledge these products are usually imported or have high raw material import content.

The NPL spent $65.5m or 14% of the budget on sugar this year, however, while the sugar is procured locally from the Sugar Industry Authority, and we are of the view that sugar is a local product, we cannot say for certain that the sugar supplied to NPL is locally produced or reimported Jamaican sugar.
For NPL we can assume that the expenditure on sugar could represent local input, however we could not rely on this with certainty.
Nutrition Products Limited Total Material Cost MAIN ITEMS OF RAW MATERIALS RAW MATERIAL COST Dried Skimmed Milk Butter Oil Flour Sugar (possibly local) Flavouring/Additives/other inputs $ 132,000,000.00 $ 99,000,000.00 $ 89,000,000.00 $ 65,500,000.00 $ 82,500,000.00 $ 468,000,000.00 15 PERCENTAGE 28% 21% 19% 14.00% 18% General nutrition support in schools under the Cooked lunch Feeding/Path 2.

Programme.
Programme.

Under this programme the Ministry of Education provides a direct per capita cash feeding grant to schools amounting to J$78.7m which is generally accessible by all students in the 636 schools at all levels receiving the grant.

This year 175,000 students from primary to secondary levels and 90,000 at the early childhood level benefitted from the general cooked lunch support.

Additionally, the Ministry of Education procures commodities common to all schools in the Cooked Lunch Feeding Programme.
This year the Ministry purchased rice, flour, cornmeal, oil, canned fish and corned beef totaling J$276.48m.

These commodities are locally supplied through the tender process; however, by our general knowledge most of the items are imported.

Under the PATH programme, a conditional cash transfer of J$1.87b is paid directly to schools for 220,000 targeted students whose households are registered beneficiaries.
When the PATH grant is combined with the Ministry’s direct cash grant for school administered nutrition/cooked lunch programmes, approximately J$1.946b would be used to purchase items for the preparation of lunches locally in schools all over Jamaica.

These items include a significant component of locally produced foods, such as ground produce, meats, fruits and vegetables.
The purchase of items for the school feeding local economies and is a significant expenditure which supports programme communities in the agricultural and local manufacturing sector.

Certainly a significant portion of the cash grants would be spent on other inputs such as cooking fuel, refrigeration, staples such as additional rice, flour, cornmeal, cooking oil and sugar.

These inputs would all have very high import content.
Answer to Part 2: Every effort is being made to include Jamaican eggs and juices into the school feeding programme.

The Ministry of Education and NPL are in full support of and have always encouraged the inclusion of locally produced goods into the programme.

The MOE committed to fund the operational costs for the inclusion of the fruit juices, while the infrastructural cost would be funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF).
NPL also agreed to assist with some of the infrastructural costs including the cost to procure a stand-by generator.

A Cabinet decision regarding the introduction of natural juices to the school feeding programme was given priority over the introduction of other products.

It was agreed that the available resources for product development in terms of equipment and personnel were the same to be deployed on both products so, as soon as one project was completed the other would be started.
The main reasons for the delays have been: (a) the funding required for the procurement and installation of the equipment - (homogenizer, transfer pump, and refrigerated container) needed for the proper processing of the juices; 16 (b) the challenges posed by the eggs as a product to be incorporated into the school feeding programme.

Apart from the obvious resource constraints, there are several issues which are to be addressed.
There are health issues which include the high incidence of allergy among the school population and the general volatility of the product as well as issues relating to the handling of the product, consistency of supplies, origin of the product and storage.
Discussions are on-going with the various agencies/entities to resolve these issues Answer to Part 3: It is the Government’s policy to incorporate local products in the programme and NPL is working with other Ministries and Agencies to accelerate the process.

The Agency has had discussions with a number of entities through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries which have led to some tests being undertaken with a view to increasing the number of local products in the School Feeding Programme.
The local products on which tests have been completed include cassava, sweet potato, fruit juices and eggs.

Feedback has been provided on issues such as quality and quantity of the product, costs and health related issues.
Other issues of lack of equipment, consistency of supplies at reasonable prices and human resource constraints have also had a negative impact on the implementation of the project hence, it is therefore difficult to determine a set time for more extensive use of local agricultural products in the programme.

A Technical Cooperation grant from the lDB is providing support for studies to be undertaken to modernize the School Feeding Programme.
One of the studies is to analyse how the School Feeding Programme can integrate local agricultural products in its provisions, in a sustainable manner.

(Mr. Othneil Lawrence, M.P., St. Ann, North Western, entered and took his seat).
The Minister of Education and Leader of the House sought the leave of the Speaker and the member asking, for the Prime Minister to answer question 45 on the Question Notice Paper, notice of which was given by Reverend Ronald Thwaites on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 and due to be asked on March 8, 2011.

Leave granted.
Leave granted.

Reverend Ronald Thwaites asked the Prime Minister the following question: Will the Government commit to appointing a Commission of Enquiry to investigate the circumstances under which several scores of citizens were killed in Tivoli Gardens last May?
The Prime Minister, the Honourable Orette Bruce Golding, responded as follows: 17 The Government will await the report of the Public Defender into the matter referred to before deciding as to whether a Commission of Enquiry should be established.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS WITHOUT LEAVE OF THE HOUSE FIRST OBTAINED The Minister of Labour and Social Security moved to introduce and have read a first time a Bill shortly entitled “The National Insurance (Validation and Amendment) Act, 2011”.
Clerk read Bill a first time.

Notice of second reading given.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security gave notice that at a later stage that day he would move for the suspension of the Standing Orders to enable him to move for second reading of the Bill and to take it through all its concluding stages.
PUBLIC BUSINESS The Minister of Education and Leader of the House, having obtained suspension of the Standing Orders, moved: WHEREAS subsections (1)(g)(i) of section 41 of the Constitution of Jamaica require a Member of this Honourable House of Representatives to vacate his seat if any firm in which he is a partner, or any company of which he is a director or manager, becomes a party to any contract with the Government of Jamaica for or on account of the public service; AND WHEREAS the Member of Parliament for Portland, Eastern, is a Director of CTW Enterprises Limited, which may enter into contracts with the Government of Jamaica: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House, pursuant to subsection (1)(g)(i) of section 41 of the Constitution and in recognition of him having disclosed the nature of such contracts and his interest therein, exempt the said Member from vacating his seat for reasons of the contracts as aforesaid: AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this motion be referred to the Ethics Committee for consideration and report.
Seconded by: Mr. Colin Fagan.

Agreed to.
The Minister of Education and Leader of the House, having obtained suspension of the Standing Orders, further moved: 18 WHEREAS on the 17th day of March, 2010, this Honourable House of Representatives gave approval for the Sessional Select Committees which were appointed in that session of Parliament to continue in this Session with unchanged composition of membership except where necessary by further motion taken and approved by this Honourable House: BE IT RESOLVED with reference to the Standing Orders, Infrastructure and Physical Development and Human Resources and Social Development Committees that the name “Shahine Robinson” which was deleted be added thereto.
Seconded by: Mr. Tarn Peralto.

Agreed to.
Agreed to.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security, having obtained suspension of the Standing Orders, moved that a Bill entitled “An Act to Amend the National Insurance Act; to validate and confirm the payment of certain benefits made in good faith by persons acting on behalf of the National Insurance Fund, and the collection of contributions done in good faith, and to indemnify certain persons in respect of those payments and contributions; and for connected matters” be now read a second time.
Mr. Derrick Kellier and Dr. Omar Davies contributed to the motion.

Seconded by: Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlett.

Agreed to.

Clerk read Bill a second time.

The House resolved itself into a committee of the whole House to consider the Clauses of the Bill.

Clauses 1 to 11 agreed to.

The Title and Enacting Clause agreed to.

The question that the Chairman do report the Bill to the House was agreed to.

The House resumed.
The House resumed.

The Bill having been reported to the House without amendment, the Minister of Labour and Social Security moved that the Bill be read a third time.

Seconded by: Mr. Desmond Mair.

Agreed to.

19 The Minister of Education and Leader of the House moved for the recommital of the item “Statements by Ministers”.

Seconded by: Mr. Joseph Hibbert.

Agreed to.
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS The Minister of Health, the Honourable Rudyard Spencer, made the following Statement on Health measures implemented for the CONCAFAC Under-17 Tournament and in particular the circumstances that led to the withdrawal of the Haitian Under-17 football team from the CONCACAF Tournament being staged in Montego Bay: Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Health wishes to apprise the Parliament of the health measures implemented for the CONCACAF U-17 tournament and in particular the circumstances that led to the withdrawal of the Haitian under-17 football team from the CONCACAF tournament being staged in Montego Bay.
This culminated in a meeting of Haitian officials led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Hon.

Dr. Kenneth Baugh, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon.

Olivia Grange and myself.

The facts are as follows: 1.


On their arrival from Haiti at the lAM Jet Centre at the Sangster International Airport on February 3, 2011, members of the contingent were interviewed by public health personnel and provided with Health Alert Cards containing information to assist in detecting international significance and instructions as to how to obtain medical assistance in the event of illness.
the signs and symptoms of communicable diseases of This surveillance and screening practice is required by both international and local public health regulations as well as civil aviation rules, given the prevalence of malaria in Haiti and the recent outbreak of cholera.

2.

Officials of the Ministry of Health were alerted by the Jamaica Football Federation Doctors on February 14, 2011, about three members of the contingent who were displaying symptoms of Malaria.
In keeping with established procedures, these persons were taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital for medical investigation and treatment.

Fever surveillance on the same day revealed that three additional members of the team were febrile and they were also referred to the Cornwall Regional hospital for further management.

All six persons left the hospital without the permission of the medical team.
Dialogue was held with officials of the Haitian delegation, JFF, CONCACAF and the Ministry of Youth, 20 Sports and Culture which resulted in the admission of five (5) persons to the Falmouth Hospital where bed space was available.

One person refused admission.

3.

On February 14, 2011, without any notification to local officials, an attempt was made to procure medication for the treatment of malaria from a local pharmacy.
This was unsuccessful as the prescription tendered which was issued by the team’s medical doctor did not have the required registration number.

4.

On February 15, 2011, eight other members of the contingent were also discovered with fever.

Blood tests subsequently confirmed three cases of malaria.

As a precautionary measure, anti-malaria treatment was administered to all members of the contingent.

5.
5.

Officials of the Ministry of Health made every effort to ensure that the members of the Haitian contingent were attended to, in accordance with the health protocols in effect in Jamaica.

Care was taken to provide meals for those in quarantine, both at the hospital and in the hotel where they were registered.
Regrettably, there was resistance and lack of cooperation by some members of the contingent, including one who refused to allow a blood sample to be taken and others who discharged themselves from the hospital before completion of their treatment.

6.
6.

In view of all the circumstances including the laboratory confirmation of three cases of malaria, the Ministry of Health recommended to CONCACAF officials that in the interest of safeguarding the health of the public and other competing teams, the Haitian team should be withdrawn from the competition.

The majority of the contingent returned to Haiti on February 16th via aircraft chartered by CONCACAF while the remaining members departed for other destinations on February 17th.

7.
7.

Jamaica is obliged to maintain heightened surveillance against malaria since the Anopheles mosquito by which it is transmitted is endemic to Jamaica and there is a real danger of transmission of the disease if the parasite is introduced among the population.

The Government deeply regrets the circumstances that necessitated the withdrawal of the Haitian team from the CONCACAF tournament.

We appreciate the disappointment that this has caused.
However, the decision was unavoidable and necessary in order to safeguard public health.
PUBLIC BUSINESS Mr. Robert Pickersgill, Chairman of the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee, having obtained suspension of the Standing Orders, moved: 21 BE IT RESOLVED that the Report of the Sessional Select Committee on Infrastructure and Physical Development on Its deliberations on the Private Members’ Motion regarding the need for a Revised Code and appropriate enforcing authority for driver education; To improve the Integrity of the prevailing system of vehicle inspection and consider amendments to the Road Traffic Act, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 22nd day of February, 2011, be adopted.
Seconded by: Mrs. Natalie Neita-Headley.

Agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT At 6:22 p.m., the Minister of Education and Leader of the House, moved that the House do now adjourn to Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 2:00 p.m., o’clock.

Seconded by: Mr. Ernest Smith.

Agreed to.

The House adjourned accordingly.

………………………………………… Delroy H. Chuck, MP Speaker 22