Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697806438247.pdf (Jamaica)
ORDER OF BUSINESS OF THE HONOURABLE JAMAICA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 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 12th day of November, 2013 – Question No.
2) 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 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 Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to Amend the Registration (Strata Titles) Act” be now read a second time.
The Minister of Finance and Planning to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT 5. to Amend the Income Tax Act to include new fiscal incentives that are of general application and enhance existing fiscal incentives; to repeal certain enactments that grant fiscal incentives to specific sectors of the economy; and for connected matters” be now read a second time.
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 of second reading given on 29.10.2013 Notice of second reading given on 05.11.2013 6.
The Minister of Finance and Planning to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to Make provision for the designation of projects as approved larger scale projects or economic activities as approved pioneer industries; to provide income tax relief in relation to projects and activities so designated; and for connected matters” be now read a second time.

Notice of second reading given on 05.11.2013 7.
The Minister of Finance and Planning to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to Amend the Pensions (Superannuation Funds and Retirement Schemes) Act to make clear provision for the payment of licence fees both upon the initial grant and upon the renewal of a licence, and to validate and confirm the collection of fees by the Financial Services Commission, its officers and staff and other persons in support of those acts during the period commencing on the 1st day of March, 2005, and ending on the date of commencement of this Act and indemnify the Commission, its officers, staff and other persons acting on its behalf in respect of actions taken bona fide in execution of their duties in relation to such collection; and for matter connected therewith or incidental thereto” be now read a second time.
The Attorney-General to move that a Bill entitled “The United Nations 8.

Security Council Resolutions Implementation Act” be now read a second time.

Notice of second reading given on 05.11.2013 Notice of second reading given on 05.11.2013 PRIVATE MEMBERS’ MOTIONS NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 24TH JANUARY, 2012 Page 4 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 5 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, 24TH APRIL, 2012 4.

The House to continue debate on the motion – [No.
5] 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 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; it AND WHEREAS that framework presentation is presently entitled the Throne Speech: Page 6 of 19 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 TUESDAY, 18TH SEPTEMBER, 2012 5.

Mr. McKenzie – To move – [No.
7] 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: Page 7 of 19 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; 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, 30TH OCTOBER, 2012 6.

The House to continue debate on the motion – [No.
9] 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 WHEREAS 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; 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; Page 8 of 19 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, 20TH NOVEMBER, 2012 7.

Mrs. Robinson – To move – [No.
10] 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, 29TH JANUARY, 2013 8.

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; 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; Page 9 of 19 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 9.

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 10.

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; Page 10 of 19 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 11.

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; 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; Page 11 of 19 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 12.

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 to Parliament the care of children deemed regarding “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.
NOTICE GIVEN ON WEDNESDAY, 12TH JUNE, 2013 Page 12 of 19 13.

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 14.


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 13 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.
15.

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.
16.

Mr. Pryce – To move – [No.
22] WHEREAS it is widely accepted that Jamaica’s vibrant democracy depends on an active role for civil society; AND WHEREAS it has been generally agreed that democracies can be compromised by the undue influence of lobby groups acting at the behest of unknown funders with unspecified agendas; AND WHEREAS it is becoming normal in many other jurisdictions for legislation to be promulgated which mandates civil society groups and other special interest groups or lobbyists to be registered and to publish certified and audited financial statements; AND WHEREAS this Parliament is considering a similar regime with respect to political parties: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House debate the appropriateness and need for legislation in Jamaica that will, at the very least, require civil society groups, special interest groups and lobby groups – in keeping with emerging global financial and ethical requirements – to vouchsafe and protect Jamaica’s democracy from any such compromise as could be caused by unknown or tainted sources of funds or hidden agendas.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 8TH OCTOBER, 2013 Page 14 of 19 17.

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.
18.

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.
19.

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”.

20.

Mr. Warmington – To move – Page 15 of 19 [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.
21.

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; 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 Page 16 of 19 22.

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 the Portland Parish Council; Government and Community Development and 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; 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 23.

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; Page 17 of 19 BE IT FURTHER RESOL VED 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.
24.

Mr. Jackson – To move – [No.
31] WHEREAS there are growing concerns by the public regarding the levels of charges being levied by banks and other financial institutions for various inescapable banking services; AND WHEREAS there are many transactions that forbid the use of legal currency notes beyond statutory prescribed amounts; AND WHEREAS there are government and private entities that do not allow persons to make transactional payments using the legal currency notes; AND WHEREAS the country is in urgent need of greater levels of investment by small and medium size businesses, and the creation of new ones in order to realise greater levels of employment, production and economic growth; AND WHEREAS increasingly businesses of all sizes, private individuals, including pensioners and low income earners, are required and mandated to purchase banking services and instruments for their business operations and their normal day-to-day transactions; AND WHEREAS the pass-through of unavoidable and increasing charges to businesses inhibit the growth of small and medium size businesses, prohibit the creation of new ones, and contribute to making the lives of pensioners and low income earners more unbearable; AND WHEREAS many banking services are now almost like public utilities, affecting the day-to-day lives of many Jamaicans directly or indirectly; AND WHEREAS there are reports that almost all the registered and regulated banks are annually reporting mega profits from increasing levels and range of fee charges to the public, particularly in periods of low growth in the economy: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House require the Bank of Jamaica to submit to the Economy and Production Committee of Parliament a report on the charges being levied by banks and credit unions as at October 31, 2013, within sixty days, or any sooner time possible; BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED that the Economy and Production Committee of Parliament commence, within forty-five days, an evaluation of the said report, and submit recommendations to the House on steps to be taken to ensure that fees being charged for some or all obligatory services to the public by banks and credit unions are not exorbitant, oppressive nor serve as an impediment to national development and improved quality of live for the more vulnerable in particular.
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”.

02.07.2013 9.
02.07.2013 9.

Special Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar committee to be appointed by the Senate to consider and report on a Bill shortly entitled “The Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organizations) Act, 2013”.

23.07.2013 Private Members’ Motion No.

8 of 2013, mandating the Human Resource and 10.


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

Page 19 of 19 11.

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 Saint Elizabeth, North Western, referred to the Economy and Production Committee of the House of Representatives for consideration and report.

30.07.2013 12.
30.07.2013 12.

Human Resources and Social Development Committee to consider and report on the Public Health (Tobacco Control) Regulations, 2013, under the Public Health Act, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 30th day of July, 2013.

10.09.2013 13.

Special Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar committee to be appointed by the Senate to consider and report on a Bill shortly entitled “The Security Interests in Personal Property Act, 2013”.
01.10.2013 Special Select Committee to sit jointly with a similar committee to be appointed 14. 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.

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