THE first supplementary estimates for 2006/2007 are to be debated in the House of Representatives

this afternoon.

The debate is scheduled to follow a review of the estimates by the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) of the House of Representatives, which comprises all 60 members of Parliament.

Discussions this morning are expected to focus on the increased provisions for debt payments and Cricket World Cup 2007, as there are provisions for the spending of an additional $1 billion on the event, as well as an additional $5 billion for debt payments, which the Opposition says should have been included in the original budget.

The Opposition has also raised concern about the budget for salaries for government workers, which has been increased from $8.8 billion to almost $16 billion.

Sharp cuts in the budgets of the ministries of education and youth; agriculture; housing; transport, water and works; and justice, in terms of the construction of courthouses, are also expected to raise questions.

Minister of finance and planning Dr Omar Davies is, however, expected to defend his fiscal policy by referring to the latest International Monetary Fund report on the Jamaican economy which he said has been the best in the past 18 years.

These supplementary estimates are expected to be the only ones for 2006/2007, as Parliament is expected to be prorogued on the week ending March 24, in preparation for the opening of the 2007/2008 session on March 29.