THE Committee of Supply of the National Assembly, on Tuesday approved some $10M for the setup of the long-awaited Law Reform Commission and also cleared a total of $867M for current expenditure. A sum of $200M was approved for capital expenditure for the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

These allocations will go towards: the provision of buildings to house the Law Reform

Commission and Justice Improvement Programme; staffing of the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA); provisions for enhancing the DPP’s Chambers and the Magistracy; as well as strengthening of the criminal justice system and the launch of pilot legal aid programme.

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams was thoroughly grilled by Opposition Shadow Minister, Anil Nandlall on the estimates. The Committee of Supply considered and approved $4M for capital expenditure under programme 523 – Attorney General’s Chambers; Purchase of furniture and equipment, Agency 52; $195M for capital expenditure under programme 521- Main Office; Provision for institutional strengthening, justice reform and purchase of equipment – IDB and, Purchase of furniture and equipment, Agency 52; and $494M for capital expenditure under programme 524- State Solicitor; Provision for equipment, Agency 52.

Williams in response to queries said increases under his portfolio are for the development of the ministry and its programmes for 2018. Nandlall wanted to know why under line item 6231-fuel and lubricants, in relation to agency 52 of main office, in 2014 a sum of over 800,000 was expended but for 2018 only $2.2M is budgeted.

The subject minister explained that the monies would be catering for three existing vehicles which were crashed and need repairs. Alluding to the rental of building under line item 6241, Nandlall questioned about location and purposes of the rental under the $8.6M allocation, with the Attorney General responding that a building on Hadfield Street Georgetown is being rented for the Justice Education Society (JES) improvement programme and its operations. Further, Nandlall asked about line item 6271, in relation to telephone charges, as he pointed out that in 2014 $668,000 was paid but for 2018 the amount budgeted is $1.2M reflecting a 100 per cent increase.

But Minister Williams pointed out that the amount budgeted for 2018 is the same as obtained in 2017 and that it catered for the services used for various secretariats and IDB projects under the ministry.

Touching on line item 6281 – security services, the former attorney general noted that the Special Constabulary had provided such services at a nominal fee of $90,000 annually in 2014. “This has increased to $3,066,000 an increase by 3000 per cent. I am asking for an explanation because I am aware that the Special Constabulary still continue to provide services,” Nandlall said.Williams said in response that there is need for additional security services at the JES building in Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

Under line item 6321 which deals with subsidies to, and contributions to local organisations, Nandlall queried the purpose, use and which local organisations will be utilising monies from the $260M that has been set aside. Minister Williams answered that the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) will be using a major part of the sum to offset its operations.

Meanwhile, Nandall observed an increase in monies budgeted for contracted employees in the Attorney General Chambers’ expenditure under line item 6116. The amount in 2015 was $61M but has increased to $86.6M in 2018. The Legal Affairs Minister explained that the difference was as a result of an increase in salaries and officers for the ministry.

Questioning the progressive increase in line item 6241 from zero in 2014 to $10M in 2018 for the rental of buildings, Nandlall notied that in 2017 a sum of $8M budgeted and it continues to increase and wondered what purpose does this serve. The Attorney General said the increase is budgeted for a building on Robb Street Georgetown to house the Law Reform Commission which is being rented for $815,000 a month.