DIGNITY AND decorum fled the Gordon House chamber Tuesday night in what some observers say was disorder spiralling into pandemonium. It was an unprecedented scene unworthy of the Parliament as the highest public forum of the nation.
The disorder developed from exchanges which followed a ministerial statement by the Hon. Paul Robertson, Minister of Development, on the future development of the Highway 2000 corridor. In the course of questions from Opposition MP Pearnel Charles, the Minister abruptly walked out of the chamber, apparently objecting to suggestions that the Government has sold out the rights to any future development of the railway system.
In the ensuing furore there was talk of imposing some sanction on the Minister Robertson on the basis of Standing Order 24, which provides for suspension of a member without the requisite notice that motions normally require.
There was also argument that Deputy Speaker O.T. Williams had improperly adjourned the sitting, presumably on realising that the Opposition momentarily outnumbered the Government members present. There is however provision under Standing Order No. 43 (12) for the Speaker to adjourn the sitting forthwith without question put in the case of grave disorder.
The seizure of the Mace by MP Edmund Bartlett is not without precedent in the history of Parliament. But as the symbol of the authority of the institution it constitutes grave disrespect to one of ceremonial symbols of the Legislature.
Mr. Bartlett's claim that he was seeking to force a resumption of the sitting is clearly absurd in face of the Speaker's authority to adjourn the sitting peremptorily.
No one can reasonably expect a parliamentary chamber to be docile and dull. Debate by definition is about considering different sides of a question and often leads to robust and contentious argument. The Standing Orders are the rules of debate, among other provisions, administered by the Speaker, or his Deputy.
Mr. Robertson should not have fled the chamber; his action obviously sparked the furore. Any minister should be able to field questions affecting his portfolio. If they are out of order he should crave protection from the Chair; not flee from contention.
We expect the House to review Tuesday night's episode before turning to Yuletide frivolity. The nation deserves peace and goodwill at the highest level.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
