( l - r ) Nettleford, Barrett, Lee

A Committee chaired by Professor Rex Nettleford has been appointed to review the system of National Honours and Awards.

Minister of Information, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, told the post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Tuesday that the committee would be making recommendations to preserve and enhance the value of the awards.

The committee is being mandated to also expand the existing categories of awards, introducing new categories of awards for groups, establishing more detailed criteria for the selection of awardees in each category and limiting the number of awards in each category.

Ms. Grange said the committee would also be incorporating a system of parish awards with appropriate categories to give recognition to service rendered at the local level and according appropriate titles to recipients of high honours.

Other members of the committee are: Senator Oswald Harding, Professor Barry Chevannes, Jean Barnes, Professor Verne Shepherd, Madge Barrett, Merrick Needham, Easton Lee and Hugh Nash.

Ms. Grange said the committee was expected to submit its report within three months in time for the next National Awards in 2008.