THRONE SPEECH SET FOR APRIL 24, 2012
|
THRONE SPEECH SET FOR APRIL 24, 2012
|
|
Wednesday, 18 April, 2012 - The traditional Throne Speech will be delivered by Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor General of Saint Lucia, on Tuesday, April 24, 2012. The Throne Speech signals the commencement of a new session of Parliament and the presentation of the Budget for the Financial Year 2012/2013.
Consistent with an announcement by the Government, the procedure leading to the budget presentation will also change this financial year. The change will ensure that the budget presentation and debate is done in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House of Assembly.
The principal change concerns the Estimates of Expenditure. For the first time, the Estimates will be laid in Parliament and debated prior to the delivery of the Budget Address by the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. Kenny D. Anthony. According to Dr. Anthony,
“This approach will not only allow greater scrutiny of the Estimates of Expenditure but also greater focus on the policy content of the Budget as required by the Standing Order 65(2) of the House of Assembly. That Standing Order makes it clear that the debate on the Appropriation Bill ‘shall be confined to the financial and economic state of the island and the general principles of Government policy’ as stated by the Bill.”
Following the Throne Speech, The Standing Finance Committee of the House will meet on April 25, 2012, at 10.00 a.m. Thereafter, the debate on the Estimates of Expenditure will take place on April 26 and 27, 2012.
The House will reconvene on May 8, 2012 at 5.00p.m., for the delivery of the Budget Address. The address will then be followed by the Budget Debate on May 10 and 11, 2012. |
|
© 2012 Government Information Service. All rights reserved. Read our privacy guidelines.
|
