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‘Unsatisfactory & disrespectful’ that Members show up late for HoA- Moses-Scatliffe

- HoA sitting on March 23, 2018 started more than an hour late due to lack of quorum
Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe on March 23, 2018 told Members that it was totally unsatisfactory and disrespectful that they continued to arrive late to conduct the people’s business. Photo: VINO/File
The House of Assembly Sitting of March 23, 2018 started more than an hour and a half late due to a lack of quorum. Photo: VINO/File
The House of Assembly Sitting of March 23, 2018 started more than an hour and a half late due to a lack of quorum. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was only on March 1, 2018 that Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had blasted Members of the House of Assembly for always arriving late for sittings.

That appeal fell on deaf ears it seems as the continuation of the Third Sitting of the Third Session of the Third House of Assembly on March 23, 2018 was delayed for over an hour and a half due to a lack of quorum.

At least 7 Members are needed to have a quorum in the HoA.

“I think that is totally unsatisfactory, and I must say disrespectful to Members, myself included, and the general public who expects that sittings will start promptly at 10 ‘O’ Clock when it is supposed to begin,” Speaker of the House Hon Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe remarked.

At the scheduled 10:00 A.M. start there were not enough Members to make a quorum and the punctual Members had no choice but to wait until other Members came to get the session underway.

“I had formal notice from three members concerning attending a funeral. We had six, that remains four members who I had no information on and in order for us to begin this morning one of the persons from the funeral is now here, which is why we are able to now begin, along with another member.

“Having said all of that I am asking going forward that we make a concerted effort to respect the House and to ensure we are all here on time to do the people’s business,” Hon Moses-Scatliffe urged.

The HoA is scheduled to resume today to continue the debate of the Bill entitled: ‘Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency Act 2018’.

Attendance Register

Meanwhile, Hon Fahie had also on March 1, 2018 asked Speaker Moses-Scatliffe to provide the House with a time and attendance register for the HoA Members, which will reveal those Members who continue to arrive late for a sitting.

“It will give a true picture of what’s happening,” Hon Fahie said.

In response, the Speaker of the House had emphasised that Hon Fahie’s complaints were noted, while urging the members of the House to respect the time of sittings.

15 Responses to “‘Unsatisfactory & disrespectful’ that Members show up late for HoA- Moses-Scatliffe”

  • Just saying (26/03/2018, 08:09) Like (25) Dislike (12) Reply
    How they expect the public to take the house of assembly serious? From 2011 the place has been a big joke I prefer to be ruled by England
    • Shutup! (26/03/2018, 13:34) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply
      Shut your 'arm. How can you invite a country to exploit and rule over us again knowing the history of the UK and Europe on the Caribbean? If you knew your history you would not be talking this piss. A people without the knowledge of their history will go right there again...start reading.
  • Eagle Eye (26/03/2018, 08:09) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Start to fine them and you will see they start coming little earlier as we know they can come up with genius excuses.
  • wow (26/03/2018, 08:30) Like (14) Dislike (9) Reply
    its not like they pass any meaningful legislation while they are there so its not a big deal if they late or not
  • No respect at all (26/03/2018, 08:36) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    Things gone to the dogs under the NDP government
  • @ @ @ @ (26/03/2018, 09:35) Like (9) Dislike (14) Reply
    Once certain low lives are elected what else can one expect? If it was all locals then it would have been different
    • Yes (26/03/2018, 13:09) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
      stop throwing words at the two M & M LOL
    • Lexus (27/03/2018, 03:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      As a Bvi lander I'm disgusted by this small minded attitude, especially after Irma! Be careful what you wish, if we don't get this money, things will get much worse for much longer. If the majority of people leave, you think the 10,000 of us "locals" could provide all the goods and services needed? Get real!
    • lordy (28/03/2018, 15:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

      U jack@#$

  • Me Me (26/03/2018, 10:52) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Top or bottom you should be always be on time .or else start with out them
  • wet (26/03/2018, 11:19) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    MS. P said it best a CIRCUS
  • With All Due Respect (26/03/2018, 11:27) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    You're looking FINE madam speaker
  • Self Respect (26/03/2018, 12:36) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    People who respect themselves. Find it easy to disrespect others. Showing up late Have others waiting. Insults to others in the house. Didn't even heard one member say thank you UK for the offer but you have to come better. Some of our politicians think that they bigger than life..
  • resident (26/03/2018, 12:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Start making them pay a fine when they show up late. They have no concept of RESPECT for anyone. Start hitting them with fines. Ie. .. $100.00 each time they are late.
  • yes we can (26/03/2018, 14:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The VIP must give notice that:When and if ever the VIP gets back into power they will reverse this decisions by the Smith administration on how low the House of Representatives have become in the eyes of the public and even its own members


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