TOMORROW, A new legislative year will begin with the ceremonial opening of Parliament at Gordon House.
The usual fanfare that surrounds the ceremony will be marked with parades by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Jamaica Defence Force, the military band and the traditional salute by Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke.
THRONE SPEECH
The Governor-General will also deliver the Throne Speech which heralds the Government's focus for the year. Later in the evening, Dr. Omar Davies, minister of finance and planning, will table the 2005/06 Estimates of Expenditure, which will outline the planned spending for the period.
The Standing Finance Committee will meet to study the budget between April 5 and 7. Dr. Davies will, on April 14, open the budget debate.
Opposition spokesman on finance, Audley Shaw will make his contribution to the debate on April 19. A Government minister and an Opposition spokesman will speak on April 20.
The leader of the Opposition will make his
contribution to the debate on April 21 while Prime Minister P.J. Patterson scheduled to make his contribution on April 26.
Dr. Omar Davies will close the debate on April 27.
