The government has declined to answer questions surrounding the termination of Dr. Alvin Hilaire as Governor of the Central Bank, as well as the dismissal of nine executive officers of WASA.
During Friday’s sitting of the House of Representatives, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo was asked to provide reasons for Dr. Hilaire’s termination.
The Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath also faced questions about the removal of nine WASA executives from their positions.
In both cases, the Ministers invoked Standing Order 27(1)(g).
Minister Tancoo: “Mr. Speaker, I refer your attention to Standing Order 27 1 G, as it relates to this question.”
Minister Padarath: “Mr. Speaker, I refer your attention to Standing Order 27, 1 G, as it relates to this question.”
Speaker of the House Jagdeo Singh later explained what the Standing Orders meant: “The Minister in his opinion, I’m mirroring the words of the Standing Order, is invoking Standing Order 27 1 G, which says a Minister may decline to answer a question if, in his opinion, the publication of the answer would be contrary to the public interest.”