SEVEN RESEARCH interns have been posted at the Houses of Parliament to assist in research work for the tabling of bills.

The appointment of the interns is one of several recommendations that were put forward by the Clarke Committee, which was appointed to review parliamentarian's salaries and the performance of the Houses of Parliament, among other things.

The committee had pointed out that many of the bills tabled and resolutions debated, required certain degree of research to bring oversight to proposals from the executives.

The interns are from the University of the West Indies. Government Senator, Dr. Trevor Munroe who is also a lecturer at the university said that the institution decided to respond to this special need.

"...We felt that this is an area that really the university ought to focus more of its attention and the research interns are our first reflection of that," he said.

He explained that the interns would be assigned duties based on a supervisory committee, which would include the ex-officio leaders of the Parliament.

He said the research needs would be channelled through the clerk of the House's office for either Senator or Member of the House who want a particular matter to be researched.

Senator Munroe said that the interns would be attached to Joint Select Committees. They will also be required to attend the Sectoral Debate, now on in the Lower House and would be required to give a critical report on each presentation of the ministers and shadow ministers.

The interns will be paid a modest stipend for attendance and doing reports and a stipend for research done for Joint Select Committee.

- D.R.