Dear Editor,
Dr Bertie Ramcharan ended his long review on Guyana’s National Report to the United Nations with an appeal to the Parliament to hold a debate on the issues raised (‘Guyana’s national report to the United Nations: Serious issues of public policy’ SN, May 11). Dr Ramcharran specifically called on “the Speaker of Parliament, an apparent presidential aspirant, to facilitate a discussion” of the issues. Being “an apparent presidential aspirant,” as styled by Dr Ramcharran, has nothing to do with the functioning of the National Assembly or the matters which are brought before it.

The National Assembly is moved on any matter qualified by its rules by way of motion tabled by a member. I have no power to invoke the attention of the National Assembly to any matter. If Dr Ramcharran can persuade a member of the National Assembly to table an appropriate motion on the matters in which he is interested, the motion will certainly reach the Order Paper for debate, providing that it conforms with the Standing Orders of the National Assembly.

Yours faithfully,
Ralph Ramkarran
Speaker