THE SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Michael Peart, has chided the members for what he described as 'a new low' in last week's episode of unseemly behaviour. In an opening statement at Tuesday's sitting, Mr. Speaker put the matter in a perspective that pinpointed the genesis of the uproar.
He pointed out that questions following a ministerial statement should be confined to elucidation or clarification of the subject matter. Member of Parliament Pearnel Charles had apparently breached these limitations and had used unparliamentary language.
The implication from this analysis is that for both lapses Mr. Charles should have been called to order by Deputy Speaker O.T. Williams, who was presiding.
That failure from the Chair led to the unfortunate walkout by Minister Robertson, who should have known better; and to the 'grave violation' of grabbing the Mace by MP Edmund Bartlett, in a spasm of stupidity.
The apologies offered by these three main actors of the melodrama have been deemed sufficient by a contrite House sitting.
That resolution of the matter, however, ignores the Speaker's view that the breaches "should be dealt with". We presume that since both sides of the House share culpability, the members felt and so moved that the matter be put to rest.
The Prime Minister toward the end of the discussion made a pertinent point that goes to the heart of the matter. In effect, he said that while no one should expect the House to operate like a Sunday School class, they as adults must behave like adults, setting the tone as leaders of the nation for others to follow.
In short, Parliament as the highest forum of the nation must set an example of civilised, even vigorous debate, conducted in accordance with its own rules of good order and decorum.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
