Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London has described statements by Minority Leader Ashworth Jack on the special sitting to debate the bills for the Amendment of the THA Act and the Constitution as disingenuous and hypocritical. Jack had claimed that the process was illegal. London said Jack's two letters to him immediately before the sitting did not state that the process was illegal. The Minority Leader's letters indicated concern about the Central Government's involvement in the process. London was speaking to reporters at a press conference. The Minority Leader said he could not participate in the debate for Tobago Draft Bills because the process is so illegal it is nothing short of hypocrisy.
According to London, Jack and his team were involved in an identical process in the Tobago House of Assembly in February 2010. Back then the draft Bill up for debate was "an Act to provide for the Regulation of Marine Sports Activity in Tobago and for Incidental Matters." London pointed out that Jack made contributions, proposed amendments, held discussions and was there until the Bill was passed in the House. "I find it very strange that under a People's National Movement Administration in 2010 the Minority Leader could have participated in this exercise which he considered to be quite legal; but under the present People's Partnership Government it suddenly becomes so illegal that he could not participate in the process." London added that legal advice from Senior State Counsel Russell Martineau, Senior State Counsel Alvin Pascall and one other lawyer confirmed the legality of the process.
He questioned Jack's intention when he tried to use Section 29:4 "to derail the process". He said Jack could have used Section 29: 1, 2, 3 to support the two draft Bills which represented the aspirations of Tobagonians.
Section 29:1 of Act #40 of 1996 stated: "In the exercise of its power under this Act the Assembly may propose and or adopt Bills in the relationship for the matters for which it is responsible under Section 25. Such Bills shall be debated in the Assembly according to the Standing Orders and if adopted shall be transmitted by the Chief Secretary to the Secretary to Cabinet with a request for its introduction into Parliament for enaction into Law. Upon the decision of Cabinet for the purpose of a Bill that is so adopted shall be introduced into Parliament with a view for its enactment for the relevant Standing Order."
The proposed Bill seeks to give the Assembly lawmaking abilities. At present it is a law-initiating body.
"I would have found it very very very difficult to believe a Tobagonian will be searching the Act looking for some spurious reason," London said of Jack. He however, urged Tobagonians not to be side-tracked by the attitude and actions of the Minority Leader.