Dear Editor,
As Leader of the House, I take this opportunity to correct some distortions contained in Mr Frederick Kissoon’s article in KN on July 5. He said that in seventeen years, the government has allowed only three sessions on Question Day, and one of the opposition parties had to stage a boycott to get the government to concede a Question Day.
There is no such thing as a Question Day. The opposition can ask oral questions without notice, on every day that the National Assembly sits. Over the last two years much use has been made of this. On the few occasions when questions were asked, they were answered.
Hundreds of questions, on notice have been asked by the opposition, some for written reply, and others for oral reply. All have been answered, except current ones which are being dealt with.
Mr Kissoon has confused what he calls ‘Question Day,’ with Members’ Day. Our National Assembly traditionally sits on Thursdays, when any business is disposed of including members’ business. Members’ Day, however, is on Wednesday. Members’ Day merely means that members’ business takes priority over government business. On all other days, government business takes priority.
In order to give recognition to Members’ Day, the government and opposition agreed that the National Assembly should meet on Wednesday, on every fourth sitting.
After some initial hiccups this agreement was implemented, and is now in operation. Despite this, the House does not always meet as agreed, for Members’ Day. This is either by agreement, when there is no members’ business, or where members’ business has been dealt with on the traditional Thursday.
There is no outstanding members’ business except for a motion on the Barbados immigration issue, which was requested, differed by the mover, and is on the Order Paper to be dealt with at the next sitting.
Yours faithfully,
Samuel A. Hinds
Prime Minister and
Leader of the House
