KINGSTON, Jamaica — The House of Representatives this afternoon passed the long awaited Integrity Commission Act.

Passage of the Bill today was an obvious response to the recent global corruption index report, which stated that Jamaica had fallen some 14 places in the index.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness told the House that the fall in the index was primarily due to the failure to pass the Bill over the past five years.

He said that his Government was not satisfied with the situation. However, he said that passing the Bill now would contribute to negating the perception of corruption in Jamaica.

Minister of Justice, Delroy Chuck, agreed stating that while the Bill was not perfect, passing it would reflect the country’s efforts to reduce corruption.

He added that once it is passed in the Senate he would meet with the Opposition to establish a joint select committee to oversee its implementation.

Opposition spokesman on finance, Dr Peter Phillips said that his side fully supported the Bill.

He noted that the Bill had been in gestation for several years, but would now contribute to the architecture of anti-corruption legislation.

Balford Henry