AG: THA Act amendment to increase secretaries, adjust quorum

Senior Reporter

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The Government is seeking to amend the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Act when parliament resumes tomorrow.

It is one of three bills to be presented tomorrow.

Attorney General John Jeremie yesterday revealed that it will be an amendment that directly affects the number of secretaries in the assembly and adjust the quorum needed to conduct business.

During a UNC press conference at the party’s headquarters in Chaguanas yesterday, Jeremie said, “The Tobago House of Assembly amendment is designed to create an increase in the number of secretaries and to increase the quorum for the conductor of business in the assembly. It is a short piece of legislation, it will not take too much parliamentary time, and we trust that it will not prove to be controversial. We look forward to the support of all parties in the lower house on that measure.”

Jeremie noted the amendment comes on the heels of the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) victory at Monday’s polls, which saw the TPP sweep all 15 seats in the assembly.

He described the measure as short and unlikely to spark controversy.

However, when asked about the TPP’s plan of gaining autonomy for Tobago, he said he stood by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s view on Tobago.

Following TPP’s win, Persad-Bissessar said the Government looks forward to continued cooperation and constructive engagement with the THA in advancing the social, economic, and institutional development of Tobago, for the benefit of all Tobagonians and the nation as a whole.