The Budget and Financial Statement for 2008 will be presented to Parliament on November 15 by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu. This will be the last budget and financial statement of the government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during its second term in office. The Daily Graphic quotes a source close to the leadership in Parliament as saying that the budget and financial statement would definitely highlight the achievements of the government, some of the setbacks suffered in the implementation of policies and pro¬grammes and projections for 2008. The source said the financial arrangements would also spell out clearly measures that the ruling establishment had taken to inject more sanity into the economy, as well as improve the quality of life of the broad masses of the people. In another development, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes, has said the leadership of the House has taken serious note of the recent spate of armed robbery attacks on Members of Parliament (MPs). He said this when Parliament reconvened on Tuesday for the First Sitting of the Third Meeting of the House. Mr Sekyi Hughes, who described the incidents as unfortunate, pointed out that the leadership was in the process of taking concrete measures to safeguard the safety of MPs. The MPs for Lawra-Nandom and Krowor, Dr Benjamin Kumbuor and Mr Abraham Laryea Odai, respectively, were recently attacked by armed robbers for reasons that remain unclear. According to the Speaker, the leadership of the House appreciated the efforts of MPs who were recalled for important national assignments while the House was on recess. He also commended them for embarking on tours to visit their respective constituents to explain deliberations in the House to them and also learn at first hand problems confronting their constituencies. Mr. Sekyi Hughes implored the MPs to attend meetings of the House regularly and promptly to facilitate the proceedings and also enrich the quality of debates, especially on the 2008 budget and financial statement. "I hope that you had enough rest during the recess and that you are back with vigour to attend to the deliberations that confront the nation and the people," he said. Source: Daily Graphic