– urges making enquiries first before going public
SPEAKER of the House, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran on Thursday advised Members of Parliament (MPs) to consult first with Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs or Parliament Office before making public assertions or accusations.
The advice follows the publication of an article in the Kaieteur News in which People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) MP and Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, Ms. Volda Lawrence is quoted as saying that the delay in the issue of the most recent Treasury Memorandum is indicative of the contemptuous nature of Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh.
Deeming Lawrence’s contention inaccurate, Mr. Ramkarran said that the  Memorandum in question was lodged with the Clerk of the National Assembly since Wednesday, June 14, but due to the fact that Thursday’s sitting of the House was the first since that had happened, the document could not very well have been laid earlier.
A report on the Public Accounts Committee for the period 2004-2005 was adopted in Parliament in March.
The Committee comprises members of both sides of the House working together with one objective in mind, which is to ensure that the funds and properties of the State are properly accounted for. (GINA)