I want limit to questions & follow-ups - Hon. Archibald Christian
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - After one Government Minister wanted to censor the media and very recently restrict the public from commenting/blogging on online stories here we go again!
At Large Representative and freshman member of the House of Assembly (HOA) Honourable Archibald Christian, expressed great surprise at the amount of questions asked at the recent sitting of the HOA.
During the any other business segment of the last sitting of the Second Session of the Second House of Assembly on September 3, 2012, Hon. Christian declared that, “… for lack of a better word, I was shocked, at the number of questions that were on the order paper.”
“I am very mindful of the fact that members have the right to ask questions of the members of Government because they have been elected by the people and they represent people.”
“They have the right to ask questions,” Christian said.
“I believe the reason why I was shocked was that we are just going into the ninth month of this Administration and I believe that it was during the last sitting, it was the member from the Third District who [related] that we were at eight months and as far as he was concerned we had enough time to do what we came to do,” the rookie member stated.
Christian expressed that he didn’t know whether it was as a result of that statement that they decided to go into another gear.
He felt that answers to those questions, both the Member for the First and Third Districts were already in possession of. “I am wondering if they are going into a mode where they wanted to grandstand or… create an atmosphere where they wanted to be on prime time.”
Hon. Christian said that he didn’t come to the House “to be famous on television.”
On a point of information, Hon Andrew Fahie, First District Representative said, “… although we would hear many speeches outside of this honourable house, I just wanted to know… if the same information is brought here.”
“Here is not the area where you can bring [political speeches],” Hon. Fahie continued. He said the facts of the matter are what are [of importance].
He expressed that political speeches should be reserved for a different setting to the honourable house adding, “I don’t need prime time.”
Hon. Christain then declared that this was exactly why he was concerned, even though he was a freshman, “I am concerned about doing the people’s business, in the essence of time.”
“It is now a few minutes past ten o’clock,” the Hon. Christian continued, “I wanted to be here to conduct the people’s business, and move on.”
It is time for the Standing Orders Committee to seriously get together, Hon. Christian felt, to consider how many questions a member can pose, and how many follow up questions or supplementary questions can be posed because we have a lot of work to do.
“If we’re gonna spend twelve and fifteen hours in the house talking about things that we have the answers to already, then Madam Speaker, I beg to be someplace else.”
Hon Fahie then replied that “we do not have the answers, or know if the answers are correct until they come to this honourable house.”
He added that the honourable house is like the courthouse of the Territory as it concerned matters of the people and public funds. “You can say anything on the street, but when you come [here] you have to be factual, that is one element I want to make clear.”
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28 Responses to “I want limit to questions & follow-ups - Hon. Archibald Christian”
session discussing the people's business. Just a little news flash. The HOA is the venue where laws and are passed. As such there should be as much question and answers are needed. It is a place where problems and solutions are fully discussed. Members are elected to represent the people in the HOA. And they cannot ask questions and get answers in the HOA where can they ask them. And yes politicians are cagey and many follow-up may be needed to get an answer. Furthermore, are not the questions submitted prior to the meeting? Consequently, minister should be ready to provide answers in the HOA. And even if the questions are routine and the questioner knows the answers thry have the right to get the answer on record. This is politics, this is the HOA, not dolly house. Addionally, the Speaker can used her judgement provided the rights of members are not curtailed to move the debate along.
Moreover, any member who is in feeling inconvenience by having to sit in the HOA and partake in the proceedings however long probably should not be in the HOA. Attending long sessions and being peppered with questions should be an expectation and requirement for serving in the HOA. Serving in the HOA is a privilege, not a right. Serving in the HOA is not for the weak of heart or those with thin skin. It is not a place for self-serving egomaniacs; it is a place for altruistic souls. If any member cannot stand the heat, perhaps they need to get of the kitchen and leave the cooking to others. I'm not even touching the freedom of speech issue, for it is self explanatory.
This was unforced error. A mistake by a first term, rookie politician. This and other comments by ministers of limiting freedom of speech and freedom of the press are fueling conspiracies that the BVI is moving towards a dictatorship. Doc needs to get his members from the practice of ready-fire-aim.
When last have you heard of the government of the day complaining that there were too much question ask??? it just does not add up people...