Hazel facing contempt of Parliament today

WILL Education Minister Hazel Manning find herself in contempt of Parliament for failing to answer questions posed by her predecessor, Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar? That question could be answered today when the House of Representatives sits at 1.30 pm. Last week, Persad-Bissessar wrote to House Speaker Barry Sinanan indicating that Manning had violated Standing Order 19 (7) by failing to answer questions. “In the circumstances, it is my respectful view that there are valid reasons to question whether the Honourable Minister of Education has committed a breach of privilege and/or contempt of the House of Representatives by having failed to comply and continuing to fail to comply with Standing Order 19 (7).

“Moreover, since the Honourable Minister of Education is a member of the other House (the Senate), then this matter should be referred to the Privileges Committee of this House (of Representatives) to examine the facts and then lay a statement of the evidence before the Senate to take the appropriate measures to inquire and punish the offence in a proper manner,” Persad-Bissessar said. According to a release from Persad-Bissessar’s constituency office, Sinanan wants time to consider her letter.