By Earl Moxam, Senior Gleaner WriterMEMBERS OF the Joint Select Committee of Parliament on Human Resources and Human Development were left fuming yesterday, after three of four government ministries failed to show up for the Committee's deliberations.
Their frustration was compounded by the inability of the one technocrat who turned up to answer their questions.
The Committee, chaired by Dr. Donald Rhodd, has been inquiring into aspects of the tobacco industry and the harmful effects of smoking, as a precursor to Parliament enacting new tobacco control legislation.
Having heard from health officials on the dangers of smoking two weeks ago, Tuesday should have largely been devoted to the economic ministries - Agriculture; Commerce; Finance; Industry & Tourism; and Commerce, Science & Technology.
The Committee's aim was to get answers on the size and scope of the tobacco industry and its contribution to the economy.
But, only the Ministry of Agriculture sent a representative, and, as he explained to the Committee, his main mission there was to advise the members of his inability to answer their questions at that time.
Raymond Mattis, Commodity Specialist in the Ministry of Agriculture, in response to the first question posed to him by the Committee, apologised to the members, explaining that the ministry did not have a written position on the tobacco industry.
To the consternation of his audience, Mr. Mattis was only able to report on an informal discussion he had at the ministry just prior to coming to the meeting, during which, he said that he was told that "there's not much production of tobacco locally."
A bemused Donald Rhodd retorted that the Committee "was expecting a little more than that in terms of information to assist us in formulating our report to Parliament."
Committee Member, Dr. Morais Guy, echoed his colleague's sentiments, asserting that the invitations had been sent out early enough to elicit the information required.
With Mr. Mattis not being able to offer any more, the Committee was forced to adjourn until January 13.
ENSURE THE ATTENDANCE
Before the adjournment, Dr. Rhodd promised to make every effort to ensure the attendance of the other ministries.
The Committee, he said, had put off other matters in order to schedule prompt hearings on the tobacco issue, which was the subject of great concern to the health authorities.
Failure of the responsible ministries and agencies, he said, would result in the tobacco issue having to be put aside in favour of other matters, which also demanded the attention of the Human Resources and Social Development Committee.
Members of Parliament attending the truncated meeting all had to travel in from rural constituencies - Dr. Guy, Central St. Mary; Shahine Robinson, North East St. Ann; Dr. Patrick Harris, North Trelawny; and Charles Learmond, South West Clarendon.
