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I want limit to questions & follow-ups - Hon. Archibald Christian

Hon. Archibald Christian felt that there should be a limit to the number of questions and follow up questions posed in the HOA. Photo: VINO/File
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.”

28 Responses to “I want limit to questions & follow-ups - Hon. Archibald Christian”

  • Liat 521 (08/09/2012, 09:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    both myron and archie think we in Antugua?? this is not papie Bird country this is the bvi where we value free speech
  • limited (08/09/2012, 09:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this dude got to be crazy???? limits to what questions????... If question need to be ask then ask them Fahie and Fraser, if archie don't want to do his work then go home, but then again we the voters will deal with that next time around
  • ooooo (08/09/2012, 09:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    dont worry about him for he's a one termer
  • mother hen (08/09/2012, 10:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Archie just need to carm downnnn..The opposition need to ask the questions as we the people needs to know.
  • free speech (08/09/2012, 10:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Christian did anyone send you the memo? we call this process democracy....
  • DarkVader (08/09/2012, 11:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with Christian..whether he from Antigua or not (old story from small minded people). It' time the othe side stop playing politics with our people. Set of C questions they asking and most of these things they asking were done under their watch now they want NDP to answer what they dont know and correct the mess they made the last four years in one year. Copies of all the decisions made in cabinet are sent to the oppoition but then again Frazer said he dont have time to read reports so he comes to the house wasting time asking nonsense. It is a democratic society yes, but they going over board and some of us just as bad to think the bunch of crock they asking makes sense for I know when NDP counter them most of you dont understand diddly squat..
    • jjoo (08/09/2012, 16:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with you, Fraser and them also let the UK take over our country, I will advise them to ask their questions to the man in the mirror when they see him and or do like their leader "Jus Listen and wonder why"
    • talk girl talk (08/09/2012, 17:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      'darkvader' you such and ass who allow the take over of the bvi more than the NDP with that crap they signed when doc smith fool we?? the lil island is heading backwards ever under the NDP..... as for Archibald he is a one termer so not to worry people
      • pp (08/09/2012, 22:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        i second the motion I agree with talk girl talk!
      • DarkVader (09/09/2012, 14:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        You are soooo blinder by your loyality to VIP that you cant see or undertand what they did to our people and country. I feel for people like you. The last government was given that protocol to sign moe than a year ago..ask them why they did not sign it? If they did under the terms laid out then, then we would have been under more pressure from England. They allowed Dr. Smith to change some of the things in the protocol to better effect us. The past government did not know what to change or how to go about signing so they left it to NDP...Thank God..any government PPP, VIP, NDP or whom ever HAD to sign that protocol...Heck, we are NOT independent..Call me what you may but check your facts before you come on her blogging like the a** you are...
        • Misinformed (09/09/2012, 22:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          The VIP did not sign it because they knew better. Those Protocols will be the downfall of the BVI, and there goes the NDP with them. Orlando and his boys messed up, and they messed up big time. The Funny Man said that the Premier had Minister Billingham of the UK eating from the palm of his hands, if this is what the Pkremier ended up with, I guess there was nothing in The Premier's hand (his hand was empty), and he came up empty.
          • Princess (10/09/2012, 08:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            You are relly misinformed. The blogger DarkVader know what she is talking about. Even if VIP had gotten re-elected they would have had to sign that protocol document. There was no getting out of it. You all are letting them fool you but they would not sign. They would have had no choice. We belong to England and there are certain things they put down we have to follow. Until we are indepenent, we have to do what England says.
            • Huh (14/09/2012, 14:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
              And under what conditions the VIP would have signed? History and the knowledge of it has a way of turning certain things around. if you don't know you also need to let them stop fooling you.
  • Eagle and Buffalo (08/09/2012, 12:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Hon. Chrinstiain may have been well-intentioned, thinking out loud, and frustrated that the HOA was in a length
    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.








    • ARE YOU BETTER OFF (08/09/2012, 13:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I WOULD NOT WANT TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY IF THE NDP GETS RE ELECTED
    • cuba (09/09/2012, 10:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      this small country is moving backwards ever we need a arab spring!!!!
  • bigger picture (08/09/2012, 12:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have been in a number of public and committee meetings and it is up to the chairperson to dictate structure. GIve each speaker 2-3 minutes to get to the point and remind people to get to the point, not grandstand. The secretary taking record minutes (hopefully there is one) should also speak up for both clarity and brevity. Make believe it is a US political press conference and get to the question and quest for clarification. Opportunity should not be censored but structure should be followed.
  • Virgin Gorda (08/09/2012, 21:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    whenever archie opens he trap it mek me..yyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaawwwnnnnnn!!!!!
  • good to great (09/09/2012, 10:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i do not find anything wrong with the questions that Frazer and Andrew asked.
  • rat tail (09/09/2012, 14:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is not your castro cuba we love freedom and rights
  • under the bus (09/09/2012, 14:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Archie come on!!! Do you ask Myron and Ronnie to hush when they rambling on under other business???
    • HELLO!! (09/09/2012, 19:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      They do not need to hush for the other side always spreading rumors and trying to make people think NDP is not working for the people. I am gld other buiness is there so they can make them look stupid with their off the wall comments. Who does ramble under other business more than Frazer and Fahie?
  • long road (10/09/2012, 01:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    While I understand the idea Archie is trying to make on behalf of the NDP, I don't think that it's a valid one if he understands how the Legilative Conucil works

    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...


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