Speaker chastises Govt over tardy response to questions

House Speaker had cause to chastise Government for its  tardiness in responding to questions filed by the Opposition, after repeated complaints from Opposition Mps that questions filed since December were yet to be answered. Sinanan said that notwithstanding the fact that the Standing Orders gave no deadline for responding to questions and that it merely stated that answers were to be circulated when received, he did not think it was fair to the Opposition to have questions languishing on the Order Paper.

“Government should respond to written questions in a timely fashion,” he asserted, adding that he was appealing to the Government to be a “little more alert and timely.” Those on the Order since December, “really and truly,” should have been answered already, Sinanan opined. But Leader of Government Business, Ken Valley started off with what was perhaps too sturdy a defence of what the Opposition felt was indefensible. “Mr Speaker the Government would be guided by the Standing Orders at all times. At all times!” he said passionately, causing Opposition MPs to exclaim: “What! Shame on you! Challenging the Speaker?”

“The Government would be guided by the law,” Valley insisted, amid a flurry of crosstalk from the UNC benches. Valley said Government attempted to answer questions as quickly as possible. “But understand what is required,” he said, pointing out that Government was under obligation not only to provide written responses but also diskettes (of these responses) to the Parliament. “What nonsense is that!” said Chandresh Sharma. “That is the requirement!” Valley insisted. “But that is not in the Standing Orders,” Siparia MP, Kamla Persad-Bissessar countered. Valley said Government would assist as much as possible. He said it was not for a want of trying that Government did not answer questions.