00:01Multiple supplemental questions were disallowed during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Friday by Speaker Jagdeo Singh.
00:08That's simply another way of asking the same question already asked.
00:14I recognize that perhaps you might have been belaboring under the misapprehension that it is a new question.
00:22So I'm going to ask you, if you have another question, ask it.
00:25But that's the same question you asked.
00:27So, ask away.
00:29Can a minister identify why the delay in the promise that was made?
00:34It doesn't arise out of the primary question.
00:38Disallowed.
00:39But it was during answers to a question on laptop distribution, emotions flayed.
00:45Will laptops be provided for the students that are going into form one of the new academic year?
00:51Disallowed. Disallowed.
00:54The question, all right.
00:57You can, you can, could be an exaggerated exasperation.
01:03All right?
01:06Yes, I can understand why you might have such exaggerated exasperation.
01:11Because you asked a very pointed question, which has six components, none of which are relevant to the supplemental questions
01:20you are seeking to ask.
01:21Then again, when questions on notice about teachers' access to the Employee Assistance Program arose, this happened.
01:30That's an entirely different question.
01:31If you want to ask that question, there's a mechanism in the standing order by which you can ask that
01:37question.
01:37It does not arise out of the answer given.
01:41House Speaker Jack Dave Singh insisted the questions were not within the standing order requirement for supplemental questions.
01:48In disallowing the question, he explained why.
01:50He chose to circumscribe your question in a very narrow manner.
01:56And now what you're seeking to do is expand on that by the use, a seemingly clever use of supplemental
02:04questions.
02:05Which the minister may or may not be prepared.
02:06And it's not fair.
02:07It's a question of fairness.
02:09It's a question of notice.
02:14I understand that you don't like the lecture you're getting, you know.
02:17I quite understand it.
02:20No, but yes, I am standing here and I'm seeing it.
02:25And I quite understand that you do not appreciate the lecture you're getting.
02:29But there's a method to asking these questions.
02:32This was challenged by MP4 Aruka Lopino Marvin Gonzalez.
02:36My understanding, Mr. Speaker, is that the Speaker, acting in his capacity as the presiding officer of the House,
02:45will invoke the standing orders to either allow the supplemental questions or disallow the supplemental questions.
02:54So why is it?
02:55And we respect that because that is the practice and the proceedings of this House.
03:00And therefore, Mr. Speaker, I'm asking whether or not members ought to be lectured to in the way that you
03:08are seeking to do, Mr. Speaker.
03:10Because it comes across, Mr. Speaker, with the greatest of respect.
03:15With the greatest of respect, Mr. Speaker, it comes across in a bit condescending way.
03:20Singh said he doesn't intend to be condescending, but expects members to familiarize themselves with the standing orders.
03:27I don't intend to lecture anyone.
03:29This is not a classroom, and I've repeatedly said so, even though at times the behavioral paradigms which members descend
03:37into
03:37may very well remind ourselves of a glorified kindergarten.
03:42I've often said, I don't intend to lecture anyone.
03:45But certainly members must know.
03:49You all have all been here longer than I have.
03:52Orvishita Wari Rupnarain, TV6 News.
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