Manning: Courts at Trinidad House is just a proposal

Just a day after saying the Port-of-Spain Magistrates Courts could be relocated to Trinidad House, Prime Minister Patrick Manning moderated the stance he had taken at Thursday’s post Cabinet media conference at Whitehall.

Speaking in The House of Representatives on Friday evening Manning clarified: “That is a proposal”. He explained that his initial declaration for Trinidad House had been made when pressed with a question from a reporter. He said: “What position could a prime minister take, either to answer the question or not answer? If I had not answered I would be accused of arrogance, improper planning or running a Government not knowing what it is doing...”. He clarified that Trinidad House was just one possible alternative site for the law courts. “This is a proposal of the Government which we propose to discuss...”. “After the fact!” interjected a UNC MP. Princess Town MP Subhas Panday shouted: “It’s a red herring to cover the Caroni issue!”. Manning continued: “If for any reason Trinidad House is not appropriate, we can find somewhere else. The Government has a view, a proposal, we put on the table for all to discuss. If it’s not viable something else will be done”. At that, a UNC MP shouted: “You are backing out now!”.