INFORMATION MINISTER Senator Burchell Whiteman said yesterday that the proposed increases in pension benefits for Prime Ministers are not new and are, in fact, the Government's attempt to legalise the existing regime.
Mr. Whiteman admitted, during yesterday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, that it was unacceptable that the legislative amendments were not made to coincide with four executive decisions made by the Cabinet since 1990.
"The regrettable fact is that, despite the executive decision from 1990 having been implemented, the law was not amended to reflect those decisions," Minister Whiteman said.
The Information Minister pointed out that all former Prime Ministers, the widows of two former Prime Ministers, and the entitled child of one former Prime Minister have received the benefits of the executive decisions.
R.H.
