It is not often that a speech from former Prime Minister Edward Seaga was ever usurped in the news, but such was the importance of the tabling of a bauxite levy in 1974. Seaga’s speech as Opposition spokesman on Finance ran four hours long but still did not manage to compete with the importance of the passing of the legislation it followed.

Published  May 22, 1974

In the House…Bauxite Bill tabled

Gleaner Parliamentary Reporter

Legislation to impose a production levy on bauxite and alumina was tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday following the announced failure last week of the first phase of re-negotiation of contracts between the Government and the bauxite companies.

Minister of Finance, the Hon. David Coore, gave notice of the bill entitled The Bauxite (Production Levy) Act 1974. Tabling of the bill preceded the Budget speech of the Opposition spokesman on finance, Mr Edward Seaga, who spoke for four hours and 45 minutes in a review of the Budget and the performance of the economy.

The debate continues today with contributions scheduled from the Hon. Allan Isaacs, Minister of Mining and Natural Resources, Mr Wilson Hill (JLP Southwest St. Andrew) and the Hon. Robert Lightbourne, the Independent member from Western St Thomas.

Attending the sitting yesterday were the Speaker, the Hon. Ripton Macpherson, Messrs. Reble Munn, Michael Manley, David Coore, Winston Jones, Allan Isaacs, Ernest Peart, Howard Cooke. Dr Kenneth McNeill, Mrs Rose Leon, Messrs. Eric Bell, Eli Matalon, Sydney Pagon. Elon Wilson, A. U. Belinfanti, Kenneth Wright, Seymour Mullings, Desmond Leakey, John Stephenson, Anthony Capelton, Owen Sinclair, Dr Upton Robotham. Messrs Hugh Shearer,  Leopold Lynch, Edwin Allen, Lynden Newland, Cleve Lewis, Robert Lightbourne, Edward Seaga, Noel Silvera.

Miss Enid Bennett, Dr Neville Gallimore, Dr Percival Broderick, Messrs. William McLaren. Alva Ross, Melford Brown, Walter Cheddesingh, Derrick Rochester. Robert Saunders, James Thompson, Arthur Williams. The House adjourned at 7:52 p.m. 

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