(Jamaica Gleaner) For a second consecutive week, the Parliamentary Opposition has attempted to have Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller answer oral questions in the House of Representatives.
Like she did last week, Simpson Miller, through the leader of government business, Phillip Paulwell, said she would not answer questions unless the minimum seven days notice is given.
Leader of Opposition Business Delroy Chuck, Opposition Leader Andrew Holness and South West St Catherine MP Everald Warmington all pressed Simpson Miller to consent to answering.
They said based on the standing orders which govern the House, the Prime Minister is obliged to answer oral questions on the second Tuesday of every month.
House Speaker Michael Peart challenged the Opposition’s interpretation of the Standing Orders, but the matter was only settled when government MP Patrick Atkinson rose and made an intervention.
Atkinson, the country’s attorney general, said based on the standing orders, the questions must be asked seven clear days in advance, and the Prime Minister is obliged to answer on the second Tuesday of every month.
Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding had opted to take oral questions on the day they were asked.
The Standing Orders committee had also recommended that the practice become a part of the rules which govern the operations of the House, but the recommendations were never adopted by the House.
