Chastanet says the amendment of Section 36 of the Constitution to allow a non-elected member to hold the post of Deputy Speaker requires a further amendment of Section 30.
Section 30 as it stands reads: “(2) If a person who is not a member of the House is elected to be Speaker he or she shall, by virtue of holding the office of Speaker, be a member of the House.(3) At any time when the office of Attorney General is a public office, the Attorney General shall, by virtue of holding or acting in that office, be a member of the House.”
Before the government amends Section 36, only an elected member of the House can be appointed Deputy Speaker. Now, the Deputy Speaker can be appointed from outside the House.
Chastanet says Section 30 should also be amended to include a similar provision for Deputy Speaker. He says if the Deputy Speaker comes from outside the House, they should also be made a Member of the House by virtue of their appointment.
“We have been advised that the amendment to Section 36 only, is insufficient to permit the Government to proceed with the filling of the vacancy in the Office of the Deputy Speaker, in the manner in which it proposes to…we are advised that Section 30 of the Constitution…must also be amended to allow for the appointment of a person who is not a Member of the House to be recognised as a Member,” said Chastanet.
Correspondence from the Office of the Prime Minister has indicated that a Deputy Speaker will be elected and that the Office will not remain vacant.
“Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre is unwavering about upholding the integrity of our Constitution and the standing orders of Parliament...This constitutional amendment protects the Parliament from political expediency and exploitation. It ensures the business of the Parliament continues without disruption,” the OPM stated.
Chastanet made this disclosure almost one year after the amendment to the Deputy Speaker Act and weeks before the Government is expected to table the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2024/25.
The Public awaits the Attorney General’s response to Chastanet’s claims.