By Lynford Simpson, Parliamentary ReporterPARLIAMENTARIANS WILL soon be able to access Ministry papers, Ministerial statements and other important documents online, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson told the House of Representatives last Thursday.
He made the disclosure shortly after the swearing-in ceremony for Senators and Members of Parliament. He said the move was aimed at improving the research and information gathering facilities for Parliamentarians".
"We aim to provide computer access within the parliament building for the convenience of members of the House and Senate," Mr. Patterson said.
Last week's swearing-in ceremony had become necessary following the October 16 general election which saw the People's National Party (PNP) winning 34 of the 60 seats contested. The Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) won the remaining 26 seats.
The Prime Minister told the House that the Government would also be moving to strengthen the various committees which he said need to be more adequately staffed. To this end, House Leader Dr. Peter Phillips and Derrick Smith, Leader of Opposition Business, are currently in dialogue on the composition of the committees.
The Opposition currently chairs the Public Accounts Committee and wants control of the Appropriations and Internal Affairs Committees. This, in order to "enable the Opposition to have meaningful discussions to query allocation and expenditure of funds in the Budget and to get regular monthly reports on the operations of the security forces. The Opposition also wants to chair the Ethics Committee. It is not yet clear just how far the Government will go to facilitate the parliamentary Opposition.
Of the future composition of committees, Mr. Patterson said: "Clearly, in respect of the membership drawn from each side, there will be a better balance than in the past. This will be so because there are more persons on the Opposition benches from whom to choose. Indeed, there will be greater opportunity for broader participation of the total membership of the House. I expect that very shortly the exact details of the Committee structure will be agreed and announced"
