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House of Assembly Approves Seven Bills at Tuesday's Sitting

Contact: John Emmanuel

Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - Some seven bills went through all of their stages at the Tuesday sitting of the St. Lucia House of Assembly. The first four bills were piloted by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, International Financial Services, Economic Affairs and Information Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony and focused heavily on financial matters. They included the International Mutual Funds Amendment, the International Business Companies Amendment and the International Trust Bill.

The fourth bill the National Community Foundation, conceived by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC), brought into existence a new entity that will work hand in hand with the Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) in assisting poor and disadvantaged St. Lucians in the areas of education, social services, community development, environment and civil affairs.

According to Dr. Anthony, the rationale behind the passage of the three pieces of financial legislation was to ensure that St. Lucia maintained its reputation as a clean and attractive jurisdiction, while seeking to hold onto its competitive edge. He told parliamentarians that constant changes in the international financial sector along with hardball tactics on the part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in dealing with St. Lucia and other fledgling financial services entrants had forced the changes in the legislation.

In the absence of the Minister for Planning, Development, Environment and Housing, the Honourable Dr. Walter Francois, Deputy Prime Minister Honourable Mario Michel piloted the St. Lucia Housing Authority Validation and the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Validation bills, and the House of Assembly pushed them through all their stages.

Minister with responsibility for Health, Human Services and Family Affairs the Honourable Damian Greaves piloted the final bill of the day, the Registration of Medical Practitioners Amendment. According to the Health Minister the bill will allow for the licensing of doctors while providing the Ministry with greater flexibility in monitoring the activities of medical personnel.

Tuesday’s sitting also saw the appointment of several parliamentarians to five House Committees, namely the Public Accounts Committee chaired by the Leader of the Opposition and Parliamentary Representative for Micoud North Honourable Marius Wilson; the Committee of Privileges chaired by House Speaker Honourable Matthew Roberts; the House Committee chaired by Parliamentary Representative for Gros Islet Honourable Mario Michel; the Regulations Committee chaired by Parliamentary Representative for Vieux Fort South Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony and the Standing Orders Committee chaired by the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

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