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Wednesday, 02 April 2008
Chairman of the Standing Finance Committee Delroy Chuck Wednesday morning blasted the members over what he described as un-parliamentary statements made during Tuesday night's sitting.
After chiding the members for the acrimonious tone of Tuesday night's deliberations, Mr. Chuck singled out government member Bobby Montaque and called on him to withdraw previous statements he had made.
The inflammatory statements were made during an examination of the Ministry of Agriculture's receipt book system which was implemented to combat praedial larceny.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton dubbed the programme a failure which raised the ire of former Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke.
This prompted a shouting match during which government members led by Bobby Montaque Tuesday night heckled Mr. Clarke until he stormed out of the sitting in a huff.
During Wednesday morning's sitting, Mr. Chuck said though some verbal clashes were expected, members had crossed the line.
He cautioned that he would discipline those who continued to ignore warnings.
"I use the gavel, I beg and cajole but at a certain point, the Speaker may well have to name or suspend the person as he sees fit," he said.
Mr. Chuck then called on Mr. Montaque to withdraw his statement.
But in response to the request, Mr. Montaque gave a somewhat back handed apology, claiming that it was one of Mr. Clarke's comments that prompted his outburst.
This did not appease the opposition members, the chairman or Prime Minister Bruce Golding who demanded that Mr. Montaque issue a proper withdrawal.
"Unless the Speaker's direction is going to be challenged, then the member must comply," said Mr. Golding.
Mr. Clarke was absent from Wednesday morning's sitting which examined the allocation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
Chairman of the Standing Finance Committee Delroy Chuck Wednesday morning blasted the members over what he described as un-parliamentary statements made during Tuesday night's sitting.
After chiding the members for the acrimonious tone of Tuesday night's deliberations, Mr. Chuck singled out government member Bobby Montaque and called on him to withdraw previous statements he had made.
The inflammatory statements were made during an examination of the Ministry of Agriculture's receipt book system which was implemented to combat praedial larceny.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton dubbed the programme a failure which raised the ire of former Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke.
This prompted a shouting match during which government members led by Bobby Montaque Tuesday night heckled Mr. Clarke until he stormed out of the sitting in a huff.
During Wednesday morning's sitting, Mr. Chuck said though some verbal clashes were expected, members had crossed the line.
He cautioned that he would discipline those who continued to ignore warnings.
"I use the gavel, I beg and cajole but at a certain point, the Speaker may well have to name or suspend the person as he sees fit," he said.
Mr. Chuck then called on Mr. Montaque to withdraw his statement.
But in response to the request, Mr. Montaque gave a somewhat back handed apology, claiming that it was one of Mr. Clarke's comments that prompted his outburst.
This did not appease the opposition members, the chairman or Prime Minister Bruce Golding who demanded that Mr. Montaque issue a proper withdrawal.
"Unless the Speaker's direction is going to be challenged, then the member must comply," said Mr. Golding.
Mr. Clarke was absent from Wednesday morning's sitting which examined the allocation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
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