Speaking of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly, Hon Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe (left) was firm in maintaining limited questions as per the Order Paper while Hon Andrew A. Fahie questioned her of the limitation which traditionally did not exist. Photo: GIS & VINO

The tradition in the House of Assembly has always been to allow more supplementary questions. Photo: VINO

In this case, Hon Fahie was the one to respond at yesterday's, August 1, 2017 sitting of the HoA.

Sticking to the Constitution

Before commencing the Questions and Answers segment, Hon Moses-Scatliffe made it clear to the two opposition members that they will have to stick to the rules of the Standing Orders, which allows for only two follow-up questions to the main question asked as is set on the Order Paper.

"The reason why the additional minutes were removed from the Order of the day, is that having reviewed the minutes, it became crystal clear that the normal supplementary questions being asked are so many; the minutes are not completed," she said while adding, "Sometimes when you are in the heart of the matter and you’re asking a question, a lot of attitude is given.”

She further stated that having to go through the minutes and realizing the extent of the supplementary questions being asked, “It really behoves me to continue to allow it."

Hon Fahie hits back

However, Hon Fahie was not prepared to let the Speaker have her full way without firing back. He pointed out that same must be applied to other sections of the Standing Order which is often times violated by members on the other side of the House, especially as it relates to Ministers providing hard copies of the answers immediately, citing Standing Order 18 (2).

"When we do have supplementary questions on behalf of the people, to get more details, Section 18 (2) says a written reply for each question shall be read by the Minister to whom the question is put, and a copy of the reply shall be handed to each Member of the House," said the Opposition Leader.

According to Fahie, it is very difficult to get only two supplementary questions when having to rely on just listening to what the Member said as according to him, the answers should be provided so that the opposition can ask the most precise supplementary questions.

He referenced the inaudible response from Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) to drive home his point.  

"The Member (Premier) gave me an answer there, and to be honest with you, I did not hear most of what he said. So, I don’t know how to ask the supplementary," He further stated, "We started by throwing tradition through the door, because traditionally we allow more supplementary."