Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 28, 2016 (SKNIS): The Order Paper has been circulated for a Sitting of the National Assembly, to be held at the National Assembly Chambers, Government Headquarters, Basseterre, on Thursday 30th June, 2016, at 10:00 am.
The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Sustainable Development, National Security, People Empowerment and Constituency Empowerment, will seek leave to introduce and have read a first time the Advanced Passenger Information Bill.
The Advanced Passenger Information Bill is a bill to facilitate the provision of advance information relating to passengers and crew members of an aircraft or vessel; to share the information with other States with a view to identifying the persons who may pose risks to security; and for matters connected therewith.
Also, The Honourable Prime Minister will have read a second time the BAICO (Plan of Arrangement) Bill, which had its first reading on 27th April, 2016.
In May of this year, it was announced that the Honourable Franklin R.O. Brand, Speaker of the National Assembly, resigned his post due to health reasons. It was noted by a Cabinet spokesperson that Mr. Brand had been facing health challenges for some time, which resulted in the proceedings of the National Assembly being chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Senator Michael Perkins.
Commenting on the departure of Speaker Brand, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon Timothy Harris indicated that the Speaker’s loss will be impactful.
“History will record that it was the Hon. Franklin Brand who brought “decorum, order, dignity and democracy back to our Parliament, Prime Minister Harris said.
It was noted by Cabinet that the election of a new Speaker will take place at the next sitting of the National Assembly.