The much awaited Budget statement for the year 2001, the first of the new Kufuor administration is likely to be presented to Parliament in the course of this week, Mr. J.H. Mensah the majority leader has announced.

Presenting the business statement of the house for the ninth week on Friday, Mr. Mensah who is also the leader of Government Business and chairman of the business committee did not say the exact date but assured members that they would be informed accordingly.

He said the committee expects to receive from the leadership of the House proposals on the composition of the select committees and would put these before the House in readiness for the budget discussions. According to him the committee noted that due to unavoidable circumstances the induction course for MPs scheduled to take place at the weekend at GIMPA had once again to be postponed.

The committee also decided because of the state funeral of the late Mr. Victor Owusu which would be held at the forecourt of the State House from 7.30am on Wednesday 7th March 2001 commencement of the sitting on that day would be delayed to 11am.

Meanwhile the concluding session of the President's state of the nation address has been rescheduled to Wednesday and Thursday.