Parliament is expected to open in the Senate Chamber next Wednesday at 4 p.m. but so far no official announcement of the new Cabinet has been made.
According to sources in parliamentary circles, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart may address the nation today or tomorrow on his chosen team, and his address will usher in a hectic schedule featuring the official opening, laying of the Appropriations Bill or Estimates, and eight days of Estimates debate in the House of Assembly and Senate.
Parliament will open with a formal procession of Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Lower House to the Upper House, and feature the Throne Speech by Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave, who will outline the Democratic Labour Party Government’s programme following its return to office in last Thursday’s General Election by a 16-14 majority.
While no opening date was officially announced up to Press time, a number of MPs were given the tentative date in order that they may present themselves for a series of swearings-in throughout this week.
Reliable sources also said yesterday that Parliament’s opening will be followed by the laying of the Estimates on Tuesday, March 12, followed by the Estimates Debate between March 18 and 22.
The Senate is then expected to debate the bill March 25 to 27.
