Chin Lee: Police and Army operating within the law

National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee has  assured that both the police and army in the Laventille exercises are operating within the law. He said government was not contemplating a gun amnesty because it was not found to be successful wherever it was implemented. “It just allows the criminals to hand on (old) guns in exchange for cash to buy (new) guns,” he said.

Meanwhile the Prime Minister, at the same news conference revealed that government’s suggested method for  equalising the NIS pension with old age pension did not find favour with the NIB and therefore the matter had been referred back to the Government for reconsideration. He said however that Government’s commitment to harmonising the pensions remained and it would find a way to meet the requirements. On criticisms of the Commission of Inquiry, Manning said he was aware of the view that the Chairman was wearing his bias on his sleeve, but he was also aware of the view that the Chairman was acting properly. “To which view are you prepared to subscribe?” he asked rhetorically. On the costs and duration of the Inquiry, Manning said there was no quick fix. In the InnCogen matter, Manning said he would have to pay a visit to the United States later this year in relation to this issue.