Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Reepu Daman Persaud, has reiterated the government's commitment to discussions on the constitution of the parliamentary committees in good faith.

But, he said that it "rejects misrepresentations of the Constitution as a device to impose on it any position", cautioning "that precedent must not be opportunistically brushed aside."

The Minister's comments were contained in a release issued by his Office in response to an article, which appeared in the Stabroek News on December 27, headlined `Jagdeo/Hoyte for key dialogue meeting.'

The article quoted Haslyn Parris, who represented the PNC and who was secretary to the Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) and Aubrey Collins, the representative of The United Force as recalling that the discussions on the commission with respect to the committees was that they would have oversight functions. However, the release asserted that "to convey the impression that the Constitution Reform Committee [sic] envisaged that the sectoral committees be chaired by the opposition representatives is inaccurate. Nowhere is that provision written. If that was the assumption then it would have been clearly stated, as was the case with the Public Accounts Committee where the Constitution provides for the chairperson to come from the opposition."

The release restated the government's position on the constitution of the parliamentary sectoral committees and the parliamentary management committee, and that having the former chaired by a government nominee "coincides with what obtains in the US, UK, Canada to name a few established democracies" citing in support the Commonwealth Parliamentary Handbook which states: "With the exception of the Public Accounts Committee which is chaired by the opposition, and those previously mentioned which are chaired by the Leader of the House or the Speaker, all other committees are chaired by government members."

In support of government's position on the latter, the release referred to Standing Order 72(1) which states "Every Select Committee shall be so constituted so as to ensure as far as possible that the balance of the parties in the assembly is reflected in the committee."

"The government's position is no different from this universally accepted democratic principle. Any demand for parity is considered contrary to the letter and spirit of the Standing Order of the National Assembly."

The release also accused the Stabroek News of not allowing the government to present its position and response to the views proffered by the opposition, saying that its claim that no representative of the PPP was available was unacceptable. "The general secretary of the PPP and the relevant government functionaries, including myself would have been too willing to provide our positions on those matters raised." Stabroek News made several attempts to contact PPP/C members who were on the CRC to no avail.