SMITH

The Parliamentary Opposition has raised objections to the new measures introduced by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Michael Peart, to restrict journalists to the reporters' gallery.

In a statement to the media yesterday, Leader of Opposition Business, Derrick Smith, said the Opposition is seeking a meeting with the Speaker and Leader of Government Business, Dr. Peter Phillips, to discuss the recent development.

A door was installed to create a divide between the reporters and Hansard writers, effectively barring journalists from gaining entry to a section of the House where a photographer took a picture of the Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller doodling.

According to Mr. Smith, the decision was taken without prior consultation with the Opposition or without reference to the House committee, which has responsibility

for advising the Speaker on matters relating to the comfort and convenience of members of the House.

He contended that the practice by members of the press to use the Hansard or other sections of the gallery to cover the proceedings of Parliament arose out of necessity.

Mr. Smith received support from Opposition Leader Bruce Golding who commented on the issue while debating the Sunset Legislation for Cricket World Cup 2007 yesterday. According to Mr. Golding, the press gallery was established in 1959 and was not designed to accommodate the increased number of media houses that now cover Parliament.

The Opposition Leader, suggesting that the decision was made against the background of the photograph of Mrs. Simpson Miller, said: "I do have a difficulty when I feel that the media must not be allowed to look over the shoulder of the Prime Minister but it's quite all right for them to look over the shoulder of the Leader of the Opposition."

He added: "I don't mind them looking over my shoulder but I believe that the rules in this House must be fair."