Another manifestation of the Opposition motion of no-confidence against Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee became apparent at Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly when the Opposition refused to put a question on a matter to do with Rohee’s Ministry directly to him, choosing instead Prime Minister Sam Hinds.
APNU Member of Parliament Winston Felix asked Prime Minister Sam Hinds when the Government will table the Capita-Symonds report on security reform. Rohee at a forum on December 31, 2012 spoke of the report which he received during early 2011 and which has not yet been made public.
To Felix’s inquiry, Prime Minister Hinds replied and said that Felix should direct his question to Rohee who has responsibility for the security sector and who is best suited to provide an answer.
Felix then reminded the Prime Minister that a no-confidence motion was passed in the National Assembly that has to be respected. PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira then stood up and said that Hinds was not the persons with the responsibility for the area to which the question referred and that it should be directed to Rohee. She also suggested that the question could also be placed in written form and submitted to the House.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Deborah Backer said that while Felix was free to submit his question in writing to the House, he could not be compelled to do so. Backer said too that the Prime Minister could not be compelled to answer the question put to him.
