THE 2012/13 Sectoral Debate commences at Gordon House this Tuesday, June 19, with Minister of Transport, Works and Housing Dr Omar Davies opening the proceedings.

Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites and Opposition Spokesperson on Agriculture JC Hutchinson are also expected to speak on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the line-up will include Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Anthony Hylton and Opposition Spokesperson on Education, Marisa Dalrymple Phillibert.

The full list of speakers for the rest of the debate has not yet been released, but Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna, Minister of Local Government and Community Development Noel Arscott, and Minister of State for Transport, Works and Housing Richard Azan, are slated to make presentations next week.

The debate is expected to end on July 31. However, similar to the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate, the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, is usually characterised by members missing their dates and deadlines, which could mean an August end date.

According to former House Leader Derrick Smith, there are a number of issues which sometimes contribute to the debates going past the scheduled time, including the fact that members are caught up with graduation ceremonies in their constituencies during the summer.

But in the recent meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives — which includes all 60 MPs and reviews the Estimates of Expenditure prior to the Budget Debate — new House Leader Phillip Paulwell showed that he is quite capable of keeping things moving. Leader of Opposition Business and former House Speaker Delroy Chuck should help to make the task easier for him than in the past.

Growing disinterest and frustration with the format of the Sectoral Debates over the years prompted a review last year. At that time, then House Leader Andrew Holness urged members to agree to a new structure that would see more efficient and effective use of its time. He admitted then that the debate had not gained the kind of public attention nor the respect of the members that it deserved, but pointed out that with the volume of legislative work, it was not possible to dedicate exclusive and extended focus on sectoral presentations.

Under the current format, the time limits are: 45 minutes for the opening speaker; 30 minutes for the closing speaker; 40 minutes for ministers; and 30 minutes for all other members.

Sectoral Debates usually follow the Budget Debates and allow Government ministers who did not participate therein, as well as all other Members of Parliament, to address Government’s plans and programmes, as well as issues affecting their constituencies.