Sinanan began House 'computer revolution'

There is an irony about the current laptop controversy which has engulfed Parliament.

Under the tenure of House Speaker Barry Sinanan, there have been tremendous tchnological advances for the Parliament. Parliamentary sources said yesterday that the initiative for these advances came from Sinanan.

This is why many are currently arguing that it is so hard to understand why Sinanan moved to suspend Couva North MP and Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday for the remainder of the session, for the unauthorised use of his laptop during Friday's sitting of the House.

The Trinidad and Tobago Parliament is currently the only one in the Caribbean which has provided laptops to all its members of Parliament.

This facility was first granted to all 36 elected MPs in the Eighth Parliament (2002-2007). In January, brand new laptops were provided to the 41 newly sworn-in members of the House of Representatives. And just some weeks ago, the privilege was extended to Senators.

In fact, anyone, including reporters and members of the public, who enters the precincts of Parliament with a computer, has automatic access to wireless Internet.

Elected members also have two additional computers provided by the Parliament for use in their constituency offices, which also has Internet access.

The Parliament had a website before any other government ministry or department. On this website, one can access bills, acts, as well as transcripts of the debates, known as the Hansard.

The Parliament has given each member an e-mail address from which they can access their Order Paper and e-mail questions to the Clerk of the House.

But, according to sources, the use of the laptops given to MPs to expedite their work, has always been regulated by the Chair.

In the Jamaican Parliament, where laptops have been given to certain office holders, members are not allowed to use them except with the permission of the Speaker. Sinanan's stand on Friday came one month after he circulated a memo, just before going on a month long vacation, on the use of laptops. Dated February 25 and circulated to members of the House of Representatives, it read as follows:

"I have observed that some Members have been taking the liberty of using laptop computers during debates in this Chamber and I have been receiving requests from others to do so.

In a modern Parliament, the use of electronic technology by Members as speech aides and for refreshing one's memory during debate is a norm. While I am in support of these advancements in our Parliament, I wish for Members to remember that during debates in the House, they are also required to show respect to each other by maintaining silence while another is speaking and by refraining from activities which may in any way prove distracting.

I also wish to remind you of the rule that is in place for the use of such technology during sittings. That is, Members must seek the permission of the Speaker before using these electronic devices during a sitting. Secondly, if permission is granted, usage must be confined to refreshing one's mind of speaking notes or to the making of amendments to notes in response to issues which may have been raised during debate and to which you intend to respond, on the date on which the permission was sought.

I, therefore, ask you to conform to this established practice and refrain from activities which are otherwise not permitted."

Panday and the UNC-A MPs have vowed to fight the decision, even threatening to take legal action to have the mater rectified.

Column by Ria Taitt, Political Reporter, Trinidad Express. Published April 1, 2008