THIS DAY IN OUR PAST

The following events took place on February 10 in the years identified:

1981: Prime Minister Edward Seaga warns public bodies that are indebted to the Income Tax Department, National Housing Trust and the National Insurance Scheme, that the practice will have to stop. Seaga tells Parliament that there is a substantial amount of revenue which fell into the category of arrears in the payment of taxes which were not being collected. “A good part of this comes from statutory organisations, public bodies which are not turning over the revenue collections which they have made from employees for PAYE, NIS, and National Housing Trust deduction.” 1983: The People’s National Party says although it “remains firmly committed” to the abolition of the monarchy in Jamaica, as the official Opposition it will be participating in all functions connected with the visit of Queen Elizabeth to which it is invited. A statement issued by the party says it will continue the pursuit of constitutional reforms which will eventually create a Republic in Jamaica, but that “out of respect for Queen Elizabeth, head of the Commonwealth, head of State of Great Britain and a distinguished figure in her own right,” the People’s National Party will participate in all functions during her visit from February 14-16. 1983: The Government decides that buses owned by the Jamaica Omnibus Services Limited (JOS) are to be leased out to “suitable operators” with the JOS retaining “the role of ownership and carrying out regulatory functions”. According to a news release from the Ministry of Public Utilities and Transport, new buses to be acquired by the company will also be leased out.