Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694871023873.pdf (Jamaica)
ORDER OF BUSINESS OF THE HONOURABLE JAMAICA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2009 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 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 14 GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Page 3 of 14 1.
The Prime Minister to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to Amend the Constitution of Jamaica to provide for a Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and for connected matters” be now read a second time.

2.

The House to continue debate on the motion: BE IT RESOLVED that the Report of the Standing Orders Committee of the House of Representatives on its deliberations on the review of the Standing Orders which was laid on the Table of the House on the 14th day of May, 2008, be approved.

3.
3.

The Minister of Finance and the Public Service to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to Amend the Customs Act” be now read a second time.

4.

The Minister of Finance and the Public Service to move that a Bill entitled “AN ACT to provide for the establishment of a Department of Government to be known as the Financial Investigation Division for the investigation of financial crimes and for connected matters”, be now read a second time.

5.
The Prime Minister – To move – BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House of Representatives approve the Report of the Joint Select Committee of Parliament which was set up to consider and report on the following Bills entitled “AN ACT to Amend the Bail Act”; “AN ACT further to Amend the Firearms Act”; “AN ACT to Amend the Offences Against the Person Act”; “AN ACT to Amend the Parole Act”; “AN ACT to Make interim provision in relation to the grant of bail in specified circumstances”; and “AN ACT to Make interim provision extending the power of arrest and detention under sections 50B and 50F of the Constabulary Force Act” which was laid on the Table of the House on the 9th day of December, 2008, be approved.
Notice of second reading given on 23.4.2008 Notice given on 14.5.2008 Notice of second reading given on 2.9.2008 Notice of second reading given on 18.11.200 8 Notice given on 9.12.2008 PRIVATE MEMBERS’ MOTIONS NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 20TH MAY, 2008 Page 4 of 14 1.

Reverend Thwaites – To move – [No.
4] WHEREAS only a small proportion of qualified applicants are able to be admitted to the only certifying facility of the Council of Legal Education at the Norman Manley Law School each year; AND WHEREAS this situation forces several aspirant lawyers to qualify in other jurisdictions at great cost and often to migrate from Jamaica to the detriment of the public and justice system which is short of qualified officers; AND WHEREAS a similar situation obtains in respect of the training of medical doctors: BE IT RESOLVED that the Ministry of Education consult with the Ministries of Justice and Health to extend the facilities for training and certification of new members of these two learned professions.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 10TH JUNE, 2008 2.

Mr. Mair – To move – [No.
7] WHEREAS it is the duty of Parliament to ensure the maintenance of good moral standards and social behaviour in our society; AND WHEREAS pornography and sexual exploitation undermines and destabilizes the moral fabric of a decent and stable society, by encouraging sexual promiscuity, deviant sexual practices and other attitudes and behaviour that threaten traditional family and religious institutions; AND WHEREAS the effects of pornography and sexual exploitation are particularly pernicious with respect to children; AND WHEREAS with the advent of technology, pornography is easily accessible: BE IT RESOLVED by this Honourable House that a comprehensive review be done of the Trafficking in Persons Act, the Undesirable Publications Act, the Obscene Publications Act, the Child Care and Protection Act and any other legislation governing the subject in order to ensure that adequate enforcement mechanisms are in place to protect our society in general and our children in particular from easy access to all forms of production and distribution of pornography and sexual exploitation.
3.

Reverend Thwaites – To move – [No.
8] WHEREAS Kingston Harbour continues to be choked by the inflow of plastic bottles, bags and other solid waste due to illegal dumping and the inadequate management of drains and gullies and the general neglect of coastal infrastructure; AND WHEREAS there is consequential loss of revenue from recreational and economic activity and a diminution of the environment in Central Kingston and nationally; AND WHEREAS the Recycle for Life programme has been discontinued and the resolve to introduce fiscal measures to curb irresponsible plastic and other waste disposal have not been implemented: Page 5 of 14 BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House debate the issue of waste management with particular attention to non bio-degradable and toxic waste and determine policy towards remediation.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 24TH JUNE, 2008 4.

Reverend Thwaites – To move – [No.

9] BE IT RESOLVED that the Government institute a mandatory Youth Service for all unattached youth with a view to instilling discipline, effecting re-socialization, advancing training, reducing unemployment and developing infrastructure.

5.

Reverend Thwaites – To move – [No.


10] BE IT RESOLVED that as a matter of urgency this Honourable House debate the recommendations of the Strategic Review Study of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and consider the implementation of its conclusions.

NOTICE GIVEN ON WEDNESDAY, 2ND JULY, 2008 6.

Mr. Mair – To move – [No.
11] WHEREAS the level of crime and violence is at an unprecedented level; AND WHEREAS many citizens charged with a criminal offence are continuing to break the law: BE IT RESOLVED by this Honourable House that the Bail Act and any other legislation governing the subject be reviewed to make specific provisions for bail to be denied in respect of defendants who, having been charged with a criminal offence and granted bail, either commit another offence while on bail or abscond bail; and for such persons to be remanded into custody until the completion of their court trial.
NOTICE GIVEN ON WEDNESDAY, 9TH JULY, 2008 7.

Reverend Thwaites – To move – [No.

13] BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House enact a Ratification of Treaties Acts for Jamaica.

NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 15TH JULY, 2008 8.

Reverend Thwaites – To move – [No.
14] WHEREAS Air Jamaica is owned by the people of Jamaica and is crucial to Jamaica’s tourist industry, the export sector and domestic usage: BE IT RESOLVED that Government instruct the preparation of appropriate business plans showing a clear profit path and, as an alternative to sale of the majority interest in Air Jamaica to overseas interests first, seek the equity participation of primarily local tourism interests as well as the local investment community and thereafter foreign investors.
Page 6 of 14 NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 2ND SEPTEMBER, 2008 9.

Reverend Thwaites – To move – [No.

15] BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House review the implementation of the Education Transformation Plan and determine the financing needed in advance of the upcoming Budget.

NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 7TH OCTOBER, 2008 10.

Mr. Buchanan – To move – [No.
16] WHEREAS the fish vendors at Scotts Cove on the border of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth have occupied that location for the last twenty-eight (28) years; AND WHEREAS this location adjacent to the seashore has become a landmark site; AND WHEREAS it is an attraction for both visitors and our local people alike; AND WHEREAS it creates economic activity for scores of persons who work there; AND WHEREAS the occupation of the site is not on record as being the cause of any vehicular accident: BE IT RESOLVED that the occupants of this location be allowed to remain there and that security of tenure be established for them in a meaningful and formalized manner; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funds be allocated from local government and the Tourism Enhancement Fund for an extensive infrastructural upgrading to maximize the benefits for the occupants and enhance this location as a local community tourism project.
11.

Dr. Rhodd – To move – [No.
17] WHEREAS hurricanes and tropical cyclones are a part of the natural phenomenon in the Western Hemisphere; AND WHEREAS these natural phenomena occur annually and have been increasing in number and frequency; AND WHEREAS the eastern section of our country has experienced the onslaught of several of these natural disasters during the past decade: BE IT RESOLVED that the Government conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of recurrent natural disasters on the Eastern parishes of Portland and St. Thomas; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the recommendations of this study be sent to the Cabinet and Parliament for evaluation and action.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 4TH NOVEMBER, 2008 12.

Mr. Mair – To move – [No.
18] Page 7 of 14 WHEREAS the duties of the Members of the House of Representatives preclude them, in many instances, from attending to their private business appropriately; AND WHEREAS in order to adequately represent and serve their constituents, many Members inevitably abandon their private endeavours; AND WHEREAS many Members, upon retiring from representational politics, find themselves in challenging financial circumstances, with no other source of income other than their pension: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House conduct a review of the Retiring Allowances (Legislative Service) Act in order to ensure that retired Members of Parliament receive a pension that is adequate and commensurate with the prevailing economic conditions of the country.
NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 2ND DECEMBER, 2008 Dr. Phillips – To move – [No.

13.
13.

19] WHEREAS Jamaica is facing extraordinary rates of violent crime which are among the highest in the world, such that criminal violence now constitutes an urgent national crisis; AND WHEREAS recognizing that criminal activity generally and violence in particular threaten the integrity and viability of critical national institutions including our schools, hospitals, workplaces, etc., and thus bring into question the survival of the Jamaican State.
AND WHEREAS it is recognized that any effort to secure a safe and peaceful society will benefit from the sustained and structured involvement of the general citizenry in assisting the security forces, in supporting threatened institutions and helping to create a culture of law- abiding behaviour: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House mandate the Government to establish as a matter of urgency a national network community safety group suitably resourced and comprised of appropriately vetted persons to bolster the efforts of the security forces and the social intervention agencies in order to help unite all citizens against the imminent threat from violent criminals; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Honourable House request the Human and Social Development Committee of Parliament to liaise with the Ministry of National Security and such other Ministries as may be appropriate with a view to refining the structure and design of such a programme.
Mrs. Henry Wilson – To move – [No.

14.

20] WHEREAS the Parliament has voted to retain the death penalty; AND WHEREAS there is the recognition that the death penalty, per se, will not reduce the levels of murder in Jamaica; AND WHEREAS there is a general consensus that the more enduring solutions lie in a combination of: Page 8 of 14 (a) Holistic, sustained, social intervention (b) Modernization of the investigative capacity of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) (c) Reform of the justice system.
BE IT RESOLVED that this Parliament, as a matter of immediate priority: (a) Assess the range, scope and effectiveness of current social interventions and agree on additional adequate programmes for implementation (b) Agree on such additional short-term and long-term measures necessary to enhance the capability of the JCF to investigate murders and other violent crimes (c) Agree on measures to enhance the capacity of the justice system.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Human and Social Development Committee of this Parliament be mandated to review the progress of these measures as agreed above and report to Parliament at intervals to be decided by this House.

NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 16TH DECEMBER, 2008 15.

Mr. Mair – To move – [No.


21] WHEREAS the Office of the Contractor General is an independent Commission of Parliament; AND WHEREAS the paramount objective of the Office of the Contractor General is to ensure that the public sector procurement process delivers value to the taxpayer, is free from corruption, impropriety and irregularity and is transparent, impartial, competitive, fair, efficient and effective: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House invite the Office of the Contractor General to: 1.
Open an investigation into contracts awarded by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company over the past five years, at least, especially related to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Training of bus drivers Security of the bus depots (especially on Ashenheim Road) Advertising and public relations Provision of uniforms for employees Construction of the Rockfort depot.

2.
2.

And, as a consequence of the gravity of its findings, that a review of the recommendations of Sandals Whitehouse Investigation Report (2006), the National Solid Waste Management Authority Investigation Report (2005) and the Universal Access Fund Investigation Report (2008) be conducted.
Page 9 of 14 AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the said Office of the Contractor General report to this Honourable House its findings, and, in the same, to specifically outline the reasons why that office should or should not refer any matter that may arise from its investigations or reviews to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

16.

Mr. Bunting – To move – [No.


22] BE IT RESOLVED that the Report of the Sessional Select Committee on Economy and Production on its deliberations on the Bauxite/Alumina Industry in Jamaica, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 16th day of December, 2008, be adopted.

NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 13TH JANUARY, 2009 17.

Dr. McNeill – To move – [No.


23] BE IT RESOLVED that the Report of the Sessional Select Committee on Public Administration and Appropriations on its deliberations on the Ministry of Health and Environment, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 13th day of January, 2009, be adopted.

NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 3RD FEBRUARY, 2009 18.

Mrs. Hay Webster – To move – [No.
24] WHEREAS the residents of Caribbean Terrace have been in discussions with the Government of Jamaica for a number of years now on plans to resettle the community in light of damages to the community from extreme weather since 2004; AND WHEREAS these discussions had resulted in commitments being given by the Government to properly secure residents in respect of national security concerns as well as public health consideration; AND WHEREAS the security of the remaining residents is now at great risk as a result of squatters occupying the units currently in the possession of the Commissioner of Lands as well as the takeover units yet to be settled with the Ministry of Water and Housing; AND WHEREAS the public health of the community is at alarming risk in light of gross infestation of rats and existence of mounds of debris and refuse yet to be removed: BE IT RESOLVED that the Prime Minister instruct the following ministries and agencies, namely, Water and Housing, National Security, Transport and Works, Health and National Land Agency, to properly safeguard the health and security of the community by “bunkerising” these units which harbour itinerants and vermin as well as cleaning the environment to ensure no outbreak of an epidemic; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the community of Caribbean Terrace be advised by the appropriate officials of Government of the timelines and support programmes which will allow the community to be properly secured before the onset of the 2009 storm season.
Page 10 of 14 NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 10TH FEBRUARY, 2009 19.

Reverend Thwaites – To move – [No.

25] BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House debate the desirability and modalities of an extension of the National Insurance Scheme to provide a national health insurance scheme.

20.

Reverend Thwaites – To move – [No.


26] BE IT RESOLVED that Government instruct the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica to supply petroleum products directly to retailers without the intermediation of the petroleum marketing companies; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the reported margins of the petroleum marketing companies be allocated to a special dedicated fund for the maintenance of the nation’s roads.

21.

Reverend Thwaites – To move – [No.


27] BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House urgently debate the measures required to get Jamaica out of debt and establish a timetable for achieving same.

22.

Reverend Thwaites – To move – [No.
28] WHEREAS there are thousands of workers losing their jobs in Jamaica adding to the already high levels of the under-employed and the unemployed; AND WHEREAS given the fragility of traditional sources of foreign exchange earnings due largely to external conditions; AND WHEREAS the stimulation of local production for import substitution, local consumption and also export are essential to stimulate the Jamaican economy from recession to growth so as to provide employment for many; AND WHEREAS the productive use of land is the most practical and economical resource available to the nation; AND WHEREAS Government has indicated that an inventory of publicly-owned lands is being prepared; AND WHEREAS there are large tracts of unused arable land in private hands; AND WHEREAS rapid agricultural development especially of food supplies will ease the urban and inner-city crises: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House urgently debate strategies for: 1.
Making unused land available to redundant workers.

2.

Encouraging the return to productive use of all idle lands.

3.

4.

Setting production targets for all agricultural commodities and developing plans for inputs of technology, infrastructure and credit to support these targets.

Page 11 of 14 Using all available channels to persuade Jamaicans that it is by the productive use of land and labour that our nation will prosper and our social fabric be restored.

NOTICE GIVEN ON TUESDAY, 24TH MARCH, 2009 23.


Reverend Thwaites – To move – [No.

29] BE IT RESOLVED that Government urgently bring forward for debate a comprehensive reform policy for metropolitan transport such as to reduce financial haemorrhage by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company.

24.

Reverend Thwaites – To move – [No.


30] BE IT RESOLVED that every Member of this Honourable House declare in this Chamber his or her citizenship or permanent residency in any country other than Jamaica; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, as a matter of urgency, the Honourable House debate under what, if any, circumstances citizens with dual nationality ought to be excluded from Parliamentary membership.

25.

Dr. Kenneth McNeill – To move – [No.


31] BE IT RESOLVED that the Reports of the Sessional Select Committee on Public Administration and Appropriations on: 1.

2.

3.

4.

The deliberations on the Ministry of Education’s School Building Projects; The Ministry of Transport and Works; The deliberations on the Ministry of National Security; The deliberations on Air Jamaica Limited; which were laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, the 24th day of March, 2009, be adopted.
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Page 12 of 14 15.01.2008 (i) 1.
Annual Report of the Political Ombudsman of Jamaica; (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Report of Investigation by the Office of the Contractor General into the procurement practices of the Jamaica Tourist Board; Report of Investigation by the Office of the Contractor General into the procurement practices of the University Hospital of the West Indies; Report of Investigation by the Office of the Contractor General into the procurement of fire-fighting vehicles and equipment for the Jamaica Fire Brigade; Report of Investigation by the Office of the Contractor General into the Highway 2000 Concession and Administration Agreement; referred to Joint Select Committee for consideration and report.
22.01.2008 2. Review Advisory Group, referred to Joint Select Committee for consideration and report.

Recommendations of the Final Report of the Ministry of Health, Jamaica Abortion Policy 26.2.2008 3.

Committee appointed to sit jointly with a similar committee from the Senate to consider and report on the operation of the Access to Information Act, 2002, relative to the review of the legislation, as provided for in the Act.

4.

Private Members’ Motion No.


11 regarding the need for a national nutrition policy and a review of the existing public school nutrition programme brought by the Member of Parliament for Kingston Central and approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, 26th February, 2008, referred to the Human Resources and Social Development Committee for consideration and report.

4.3.2008 5.

Private Members’ Motion No.


3 regarding the addition of the names of fathers on children’s birth certificates brought by the Member of Parliament for Kingston Central and approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, 4th March, 2008, referred to the Human Resources and Social Development Committee for consideration and report.
Committee appointed to sit jointly with a similar committee from the Senate to consider 6. and report on the Bill entitled “AN ACT to Repeal the Police Public Complaints Act; to make provision for the establishment of a Commission of Parliament to be known as the Independent Commission of Investigations to undertake investigations concerning actions by members of the Security Forces and other agents of the State that result in death or injury to persons or the abuse of the rights of persons; and for connected matters”.
1.7.2008 7. and report on the Report on the Review of Jamaica’s Defamation Law.

Committee appointed to sit jointly with a similar committee from the Senate to consider 2.7.2008 Committee appointed to sit jointly with a similar committee from the Senate to consider 8. and report on the Green Paper on National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS.

Page 13 of 14 9.7.2008 9.
Committee appointed to sit jointly with a similar committee from the Senate to consider and report on the Bill entitled “AN ACT to Promote and Strengthen Measures to Prevent and Combat Corrupt Conduct More Efficiently and Effectively; to provide for the offence of corrupt conduct and offences relating to corrupt conduct; to provide for the establishment of a commission of Parliament to be known as the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Corruption with special responsibility for the investigation and prosecution of corrupt conduct; to repeal the Corruption (Prevention) Act and the Parliament (Integrity of Members) Act; and for connected matters.” 9.9.2008 10 Committee appointed to sit jointly with a similar committee from the Senate to consider and report on the Bill entitled “AN ACT to Provide for the sharing of credit information between specified bodies, the licensing of credit bureaus and for connected matters”, and the Credit Reporting Regulations 2008, which were laid on the Table of the House on the 26th day of August, 2008.
16.9.2008 Report of the Review of the System of National Honours and Awards which was laid on 11. the Table of the House on the 16th day of September, 2008, referred to the Human Resource and Social Development Committee for consideration and report.

30.9.2008 12.

Private Members’ Motion No.


6 regarding the number of Jamaicans being killed or suffer injury and economic loss each year as a result of road accidents brought by the Member for Central Kingston and approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, 30th September, 2008, referred to the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee for consideration and report.

25.11.2008 13.

Private Members’ Motion No.


2 regarding unregistered land in Jamaica brought by the Member for Central Kingston and approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, 25th November, 2008, referred to the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee for consideration and report.

9.12.2008 14.

Jamaica Energy Policy 2006-2020 (Green Paper No.


1), which was laid on the Table of the House on the 28th day of February, 2008, referred to the Economy and Production Committee of the House of Representatives for consideration and report.

15.

Energy Conservation and Efficiency Policy 2008-2022 – An Addendum to the Energy Green Paper – Ministry Paper No.
61 of 2008, which was laid on the Table of the House on the 22nd day of July, 2008, referred to the Economy and Production Committee of the House of Representatives for consideration and report.

Page 14 of 14 16.

Private Members’ Motions No.


1 of 2008, regarding whole scale depreciation of the housing stock in Central Kingston and similar locations of urban decay in many constituencies, brought by the Member of Parliament for Central Kingston and approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, 9th December, 2008, referred to the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee for consideration and report.

13.1.2009 17.
13.1.2009 17.

Committee appointed to sit jointly with a similar committee from the Senate to consider and report on Green Paper #4 of 2001 regarding proposals for the introduction of flexible work arrangements.