Manning talks crime bills with business leaders

Prime Minister Patrick Manning  yesterday told the business community they had an integral role to play in ensuring that the Opposition supports Police Service reform legislation. According to a statement, issued after Manning’s meeting at Whitehall with 24 representatives of several business organisations, the Prime Minister told them, “We have invited you all as members and leaders of various organisations to tell you — let your voices be heard on this matter,” Manning pleaded, “appeal to your MPs and to the Opposition and let your views be known so that when the legislation comes before Parliament on June 29, the Opposition must have no doubt that you are in support of these bills,” he added.

The Prime Minister stressed that the bill was a “critical part of comprehensive crime fighting measures” and that it was crucial to the creation of a framework in which the Police Service can be more efficient. He assured the business community that more crime fighting initiatives were being implemented by the Government, including the acquisition of offshore patrol vessels, patrol helicopters and a “state-of-the-art” radar system. Among the 24 present at the meeting were Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) president, Gregory Aboud, Anthony Aboud of the TT Manufacturers Association and Daphne Barlett of the San Fernando Business Association. The consensus among most of the representatives at the meeting, the statement added, was that they would support the anti-crime legislation.