Audley Shaw's absence from the chairman's seat in Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will continue for a while longer.

This was confirmed yesterday when acting PAC Chairman Mike Henry informed the committee that he had been asked by Opposition Leader Bruce Golding to continue in that position, at least until Parliament goes on its summer break.

Government member John Junor, in congratulating Henry on this development, could not resist a political jab at Shaw, suggesting in his absence that he needed as much time as possible in his North East Manchester constituency if he were to retain it in the upcoming general election.

Shaw, MP for the constituency since 1993, is facing what is considered his stiffest challenge yet from newcomer Paul Lyn of the governing People's National Party (PNP).

Shaw, Opposition spokesman on finance, was until last year, the chairman of the PAC - a position normally reserved for the person holding that portfolio. He vacated the position temporarily, however, after comments considered intemperate on a political platform.

It was in the early days of the PAC's examinations of issues related to the Sandals Whitehouse hotel project that Shaw declared he would "pepper" Dr. Vincent Lawrence, former chairman of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), when Dr. Lawrence made his appearance before the committee.

Compromised his position

Government members complained that Shaw had compromised his position as chairman by making those comments, particularly on a political platform. Before they could formally take action in the matter, however, he announced his decision to step aside for the duration of the Sandals Whitehouse project deliberations.

The PAC concluded its examination of the Sandals Whitehouse project at its last sitting and, in keeping with his earlier undertaking, it had been expected that Shaw would have resumed his chairmanship this week.

Henry, while thanking the members for their goodwill, was quick to assert his full confidence in the competence of Audley Shaw, pointing out that the post of PAC Chairman remains, substantively, that of the Opposition spokesman on finance.

It is expected that Parliament will be prorogued during this period, making way for the holding of a general election.

Thereafter, the post of PAC chairman should revert to the Opposition spokesman on finance, whatever the outcome of the election.