Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman yesterday ruled to defer three motions tabled by members of the opposition to amend the Standing Orders to reconfigure key committees.
The government objected to proceedings, citing the omission of a draft of the amendments to the Standing Orders that the three motions contemplated. Prime Minister Sam Hinds also asked that the motions not be proceeded with because of the action that the government is pursuing in the High Court to settle the composition of parliamentary committees.
“I rule that the motions, as they are, are not out of order. But it is the notices, issued by the Parliament Office, which went out without the requisite amendments. Those are out of order. This afternoon we are unable to proceed to entertain them because the notices are bad and the Clerk’s Office will have to take some responsibility for that,” Trotman said.
“However, I will exercise my discretion by abridging the time and will not
