An attempt by the Opposition People's National Movement to have an urgent debate in Parliament on the Beetham fires was dumped yesterday, as Deputy Speaker Nela Khan said it did not qualify.St Joseph MP Terrence Deyalsingh sought leave to debate the matter under Standing Order 12, which provides for the scheduled business of the House to be suspended to allow debate on the matter at a fixed time during the same sitting.
Deyalsingh said the matter was definitely a matter of public importance because of the failure of the Government to responsibly address the health and economic effects of the fires which began on Sunday. Toxic smoke from the fires has been affecting thousands of citizens, including schoolchildren, in the capital city. Businesses, including banks, closed because of the fires as the smoke affected workers.
The fires have not as yet been adequately contained, Deyalsingh said, and the smoke was affecting citizens who had respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis. Some 16 schools in Port-of-Spain were forced to suspend classes on Wednesday and Thursday.