Supplementary Estimates set for historic tabling outside Gordon House

After more than half a century, Jamaica’s parliamentarians will deliberate the nation’s business from a location other than George William Gordon House (pictured), where they have sat since October 27, 1960.

Parliamentarians returning from their annual summer recess will begin deliberations today, with focus on the Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure, from the Jamaica Conference Centre, located on Kingston’s picturesque waterfront. The move has been made necessary because the building named in honour of National Hero George William Gordon, and known as Parliament, is undergoing extensive repairs to its roof.

The public relations office of Parliament said the move would be temporary and Conference Room Five, the same room that housed the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry earlier this year, will become the legislative chamber for at least six weeks.

Retired former clerk of the House, Headley Deans, said it was the first time the sittings of the House would take place outside of Gordon House.

Finance Minister Audley Shaw will present the first Supplementary Estimates, and it is expected to bring bad news for both Government and Opposition. Shaw has promised to deliver the Government’s new spending plan for the year, an update from the J$545 billion (US$6.3 billion) budget he presented in April.

The revised Budget must include J$10.4 billion (US$121 million) to pay public-sector workers, and he must say which capital projects will be stalled and which ones will go ahead.

Source: The Gleaner