Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Ralph Ramkarran said yesterday he is aware that the committee dealing with the Local Elections Bills might well be working during the parliamentary recess, but has so far received no request in this regard.

People Progressive Partly Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarian Mrs. Gail Teixeira had said her colleagues are prepared to meet with the Opposition during the parliamentary recess to complete work on the Local Government Elections Bills before the House.

Teixeira, who was at the time speaking with the media at the Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown, said her colleagues work for the people and if the Opposition agrees, they will work during the recess to have these bills ready for when Parliament resumes.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Ramkarran said the People’s National Congress Reform, in a public statement, has said it was prepared if necessary to meet during the recess to complete work on these bills.

He said to date he has received no word on this matter or any request for the use of any facilities, or for the convening of the parliament or any committee.

The Fiscal Transfer Bill, the Amendment to the Municipal and District Councils Bill, and Amendment to the Local Government Bills are the other bills before the House, all referred to a Special Select Committee.

The Amendment to Municipal and District Councils and Amendment to Local Government Bills are ancillary pieces of legislation to ensure there is synergy between the bills.

The recess period runs from August 10 to October 10, and is provided for by the parliamentary standing orders.

Ramkarran pointed out that parliament can be recalled during this time but only to deal with matter(s) considered to be of serious nature.

During this period, he said, there is no parliamentary activity, either at the parliamentary or committee stage, but there is nothing in principle to prevent committees from working during this time.

The Speaker also noted that parliamentary staff is sent on leave in the recess as they cannot go on leave during the parliamentary session.

He said currently the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) are conducting staff development programmes.

Ramkarran also pointed out that work on the three parliamentary reforms, namely the special select committee on amending the standing orders, the special select committee on implementing autonomy for the parliament office and special select committee for examining the committee rules, is proceeding.

The report for the latter is finished but has not yet been approved.