The Editor Sir:

As the national dialogue and discourse concerning the location of a new parliamentary building continues to gain momentum and attract public participation, I would like to make a contribution by adding Vale Royal to the mix of suggested locations.

Of all the sites suggested so far, Vale Royal, in my view, more than any other, enjoys a superior comparative advantage. Let us now look at some of the positives directly associated with Vale Royal for Parliament.

Vale Royal was once the official residence of the Prime Ministers. It is now used to host a few official functions. No doubt the upkeep of this property is quite costly. At the centre of any cost containment effort, the push should not be directed at ending the upkeep but rather to optimise the capacity of Vale Royal to justify the expenditure. One of the most effective ways of achieving optimisation of capacity is to adapt the current structure of Vale Royal to facilitate the new parliamentary building.

Budgetary constraints

Jamaica is currently unable to undertake the implementation of a plethora of important policy initiatives because of budgetary constraints. The erection of a new parliamentary building is bound to put quite a strain on the national budget. To adapt Vale Royal to a modern parliamentary chamber will certainly cost less than having to start a building from scratch.

The sovereign aura invoked in the hearts and minds of onlookers by this majestic national monument as well as its towering beauty and quaint elegance make it a place specially suited to accommodate something as monumental as the nation's houses of Parliament.

In an era of deteriorating domestic and international security, the security of nation's Parliament cannot be underestimated. The semi-secluded location of the property makes it easy to establish a security perimeter around the property without much inconvenience to the public.

I am, etc.,

CEDRIC BROWN

cmb2311@aol.com