The Prime Minister began his address to the House of Representatives at 5:56 pm. The 2008/ 2009 estimates of revenue and expenditure is - 1 billion, 159 million, 816 thousand, 206 dollars. Prime Minister King began his address by paying tribute to deceased Prime Minister Sir John Compton. He says his history both in sir john’s cabinet and government has positioned him to stand as his successor in delivering a budget that was his predecessor’s forte.
The theme for the 2008 budget would also build on the one delivered by sir john in 2007 - “from vision to implementation.”

The Prime Minister also touched on the theme of education featured heavily in the throne speech delivered earlier by the governor-general. He says education is the only way the theme will be realized. The house will recess until Wednesday when debate on the budget will begin. That debate is expected to last two days.

The Castries Central MP would not respond to the question. Asked if he had been holding meetings with the Opposition SLP about a possible floor walk – Richard Frederick had this response. The Choiseul MP was more vocal. Rufus Bousquet not only denied any such meetings were taking place – he laughed at the possibility of them. The Leader who mans the Labour Party was equally dismissive. Dr Kenny Anthony says his meetings with government MP’s occurred because by accident not design. He attributed those to what he says is the small size of the population. Deputy Speaker Marcus Nicholas did not

deny knowledge of the rumours. He says he has had no such meetings nor has he been approached about having any.The possibility of MP’s crossing the Parliament floor became reality when Neville Cenac did so – moving from the Opposition SLP to the ruling UWP led by Sir John Compton. At the time, Cenac says of his decision – “I can’t take it no more. I have to cross the floor.”

Education remains one of the key areas of focus on Government’s agenda. The Governor General in her throne speech Monday said St. Lucia’s illiteracy rate is still too high – and needs to be addressed urgently. Dame Pearlette Louisy says the establishment of an Education Commission will ensure Government’s goals for the sector are achieved. The Head of State says Agriculture will play a vital role in the coming year. Dame Pearlette says, as St. Lucia and the Caribbean grapples with a global food price crisis, short term programs will be implemented to tackle the rising cost of food. But that is not

all. The Governor General says a major goal of the Administration is to make agriculture and agri-business more attractive to young people. On the issue of rising crime, Dame Pearlette says Government must return to measures that have worked in the past. The Governor General says laws will be implemented to protect human rights. The Governor General also discussed Foreign Policy, Health and Social Programs. The Throne Speech also revealed plans to privatise the Island’s sole water Company – WASCO – to safeguard the Island’s water supply.

Customs Comptroller Terrance Leonard has not been a stranger to the local media. His first brush with the spotlight followed his arrest of the Castries Central MP – Richard Frederick - on suspicion of tax evasion. Since then there have been reports the public servant will be ousted from the position of Customs Comptroller. The Public Service Minister Leonard Montoute says talks of a transfer for the current Comptroller of Customs should only be viewed as speculation. The staff of the Customs department has reportedly filed several complaints with the Public Service Commission about

the leadership style of Terrance Leonard. Some staffers say the Comptroller is guilty of highhandedness and of depriving senior staff of promotions. But, the Public Service Minister says he is not aware of any complaints from Customs employees about the Comptroller. Some Customs offices were closed for a period of time on Friday. These allegedly facilitated some high level meetings between the staff, the Customs Comptroller and the Minister of Communications and Works - Guy Joseph. Sources say the meetings were damage control sessions following reports of the transfer of the Comptroller.

The Praedial larceny pilot project is recording another success in its bid to protect farmers from thieves. Sylvester john, also known as “wash” of Dennery was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for the theft of jelly coconuts. The arrest was made on Thursday 17th April by special Constables Fulgence and Antoine. John was taken to the second district court in Vieux-Fort on Friday April 18th where he pleaded guilty. He is currently serving his time at the Bordelais correctional facility. John is the second individual to be arrested and  sentenced under the Praedial larceny pilot project.

Prime Minister Stephenson King says the Commission of Enquiry will soon begin its investigations. It will be the delivery of a campaign promise to have the previous SLP government investigated. He says the delay in establishing that Commission was procedural. The administration in question was that of Dr Kenny Anthony. He says his government has never opposed a government inquiry. However, they have specific guidelines they want to see implemented.] Dr Anthony is also querying what he says is a language change in the guidelines for the Commission. He says the language has changed from

corruption to mal-administration. The Prime Minister is expected to define the terms and time frame for that Commission of Enquiry shortly. 

NCOPT members want their money. As part of an agreement reached two months ago, Government agreed to pay the NCOPT 1.25 million by April 15th. The NCOPT’s Public Relations Officer Linus St. Clair says that money has not been paid. Transport Minister Guy Joseph says the funds will be paid after the budget. He says the 2007/2008 financial year ended in March, the money will be paid following approval of the 2008/2009 estimates of revenue and expenditure. St. Clair says the Council was informed they would be paid after the budget. He says the Executive understands this, but the

challenge is convincing the Council members to wait for payment. The NCOPT says Government agreed to an overall figure of 2.5 million - half of that was due by mid April. St. Clair says Government must now honour the terms of the agreement and pay the members. The Government and the NCOPT signed off a six month agreement – pending the outcome of a review of the Transportation System.

Edmund Estephane says the Ministry of Labor is still revisiting the Labor Code. That Code was one of the campaign issues raised by the United Workers Party during the last election. Then Prime Minister – Sir John Compton – had declared the Code rushed and in need of more debate. The Labor Minister says his Ministry is working towards preparing the document for enactment. That process involves discussions with the relevant partners including the Employers Federation and Trade Unions which represent workers. Estephane says the draft document that went through the House of Parliament in 2006 is being circulated to the relevant parties for feedback. He says

discussion and public pronouncements on the Code by the authorities will intensify shortly. Several Trade Unions have called for the Labor Code to be enacted to allow for the rights of workers to be protected. The Labor Minister agrees the code is needed Estephane says some concrete decision on the code should be made by the end of the year.

Several parties including the Chamber of Commerce expressed dissatisfaction with the Labour Code following its passage in the House. They claim the process was rushed and the parties were not given enough time to discuss some of the issues. Edmund Estephane says his Ministry will not rushed to have the present Labor Code implemented.

The Principals Association is headed back to the drawing board. A proposal by the Association to disallow children from carrying cell phones has received some opposition from parents and the general public. The President of the Association says rather than preventing children from carrying cell phones to school parents prefer if children are banned from using their phones during school hours. Cyrus Cepal says parents say in a society of modern technology a cell phone is an important tool used communicate with their children,

Cepal says the issue must be discussed and taken seriously because it can pose serious implications. He says cell phones are being used by students to promote pornography and other mal practices at school. Cepal says the issue of cell phone usage by school children is a big concern for the administrators of school because children are often guilty of abusing the use of cell phones. He says cell phones are also used by children to enable gang violence.

Cepal says the concerns of parents will be discussed at a Principals Association membership meeting in May. He says if a decision is taken to allow children to carry cell phones to school, arrangements will have to be made to confiscate phones being used by students during school hours.