( L - R ) Broderick, Chuck, Thwaites, Phillips

NORTH CLARENDON Member of Parliament (MP) Laurie Broderick feels that committees of Parliament should allow for greater participation from members.

Mr. Broderick, who was listed in this week's Sunday Gleaner as a 'silent' MP, said that an opportunity for participation in discussions did not readily present itself in the sittings of the House of Representatives.

"Surely the goal is to get the widest possible participation in a debate and that has always been the weakness of Parliament," Broderick told the House Standing Committee yesterday.

No dummies

He added: "Some of us were criticised by the press for being silent, as if we are dummies, but because of the strictures that are imposed on backbenchers and certain junior ministers from participating, we have to sit around and wait for some national issues before we can make our remarks."

The Hansard, the official record of Parliament, had placed Ronnie Thwaites, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, and Dr. Peter Phillips among the most vocal in the Parliament.

Label not fair

Responding to Broderick's concerns, House Speaker Delroy Chuck said the tag of 'silent MPs' for some members may not have been fair.

"What has transpired since Parliament resumed in September is not normal. Over the last three months we have just been concentrating on statements of ministers. We have not done a motion. One motion started where Mr. Thwaites opened and nothing has happened since," Chuck said.

"The usual thing is that we have debated motions late into the evening, which gives the opportunity to every Member of Parliament to say something," Chuck said.

Meanwhile, the Standing Orders Committee struck down the suggestion from West St. Mary MP Robert Montague that a special time be set aside to allow members to speak on any issue in the House for two minutes.

Dr. Phillips said that if that were to be done, members might abuse the privilege and "you will never leave here".