AG: Govt committed to integrity

ATTORNEY GENERAL John Jeremie yesterday assured the Opposition UNC that Government will not delay approval of critical integrity legislation scheduled for debate in the House of Representatives on Friday. High-level sources in the Office of the Attorney General said Jeremie “has moved expeditiously” on this matter and events in Parliament last week testify to this fact.

Last Tuesday, the Senate approved the Prescribed Forms and Regulations to effect the Integrity in Public Life Act 2000 and a parliamentary joint select committee report recommending the Act be amended for declarations to be made retroactively to the year 1999. The sources said that report was laid in the Lower House last Friday but was not debated because that day was Private Members Day.

The sources recalled that Jeremie’s predecessor, Glenda Morean, had given the commitment that the report would be laid in Parliament by December 1 and Government laid the report one week ahead of the deadline. The sources added that while skepticism on the UNC’s part was understandable, Jeremie is committed to ensuring passage of the legislation.

Concerns have been raised by Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday and former AG Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj about Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s hint that the net of persons required to declare their assets to the Integrity Commission could be narrowed. Several chairmen and Board members of State enterprises have reportedly signalled their intention to resign if they have to declare their assets.