The House and Senate Committee last week named the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) as co-ordinator for the new Parliament building project.

According to the House Leader, the UDC will now assume full responsibility for the progress of the project, which will commence next year and should be completed by 2011.

One of the first things that the UDC will do is to organise a competition among architects to choose a design for the new facility.

UDC’s chief architect, Colin Davis, was on hand to explain some of the proposals.

He suggested that the area around Gordon House be declared a parliamentary zone, so that lands could be acquired for extension whenever needed.

He said this was being done by other jurisdictions, after observing the need to expand. They defined a zone, and then made the declaration giving Parliament the right to acquire lands within that area for its use.

Davis also noted that the current building had been declared a historic site and, whatever was done to it, would have to be carried out with the approval of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT).

“It means that, for example, the external facade cannot be altered without the approval of the JNHT. Internal areas considered important, in terms of symbolic or historic relevance, also have to be approached with caution,” he said.

He recommended that the building be viewed as a “working museum”, meaning that its historic character would be retained, while new functions are adapted internally and current activities continue.

In addition, greater accommodation for the public, the press and special guests.

In terms of the media, Davis explained that, “the assumption is that the press will play a greater role going forward in covering the work of Parliament and, therefore, infrastructure and spatial accommodation for the press would have to be revisited.

“In most modern Parliaments, there are special provisions for the press, so that they come in and proceed, and are out of the way of any other interests that would be In Parliament,” he added.

One of the key elements being considered, Davis said, is a second chamber or separate chambers for the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as more accommodation for committees and cabinet ministers and a Parliament square where the public can gather outside the building.

Derrick Smith returns

LEADER of Government Business Derrick Smith resumed his position last Tuesday after a lengthy absence due to illness.

The House welcomed him back with a lot of enthusiasm, and also paid tribute to his deputy, Andrew Gallimore, for the very effective job he had done in Smith’s absence.

It is definitely not easy for persons to become leaders on either side of the aisle or either House, due to the demands of the job. Gallimore, despite this being only his sophomore term, responded very well to the challenge.

It will be interesting to see who the Opposition leader appoints next week as Leader of Opposition Business next week, following the recent resignation of Dr Peter Phillips.

On Tuesday, Phillip Paulwell (East Kingston and Port Royal) sat in the chair, but he made it clear that it was a very temporary occupation.

It seems very likely that Derrick Kellier will be asked to take up the position. Kellier has seniority within the House and within the Opposition party, as vice-president, and was also deputy leader to Dr Phillips prior to becoming a cabinet minister in 2006.

Sharon Hay-Webster/ Fitz Jackson replaced

It was interesting to note the reactions from Opposition MPs Sharon Hay-Webster and Fitz Jackson following the announcement last Tuesday that Robert Pickersgill and Ronnie Thwaites would take their spots on the joint select committee studying the six anti-crime bills.

Jackson said that it was a decision taken prior to the People’s National Party’s presidential election, while Hay-Webster said that she had not been informed and intended to continue attending meetings.

Well, sure enough, Hay-Webster was present and very active in the deliberations last Wednesday. Thwaites was absent and Pickersgill’s presence remained low-keyed.

Hay-Webster is an exemplary MP – she has a good attendance record, is punctual and an active participant. She is also a former co-president of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the ACP. If she is dropped from other committees, it will certainly be a great loss to the House.