The leader of the People's National Movement (PNM) told the the House of Representatives Friday night his party no longer supports Patrick Manning's plan to move the Parliament out of the Red House to make way for the Office of the Prime Minister.
Rowley was responding to a motion moved by Government Chief Whip Dr Roodal Moonilal to establish a parliamentary joint select committee on parliamentary accommodation.
Rowley noted that it was public knowledge that the former PNM government had considered relocating Parliament from the Red House. However he distanced himself and his party from the plan saying the Red House "is the heart of our democratic expression.”
He noted that the debate was put to rest by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar who stated at the convening of the Tenth Parliament on June 18 that the Red House will be the permanent seat of Parliament.
Rowley said he hopes that the building's restoration, which has been going on “forever”, would be completed and the building will treated "with the dignity that it deserves".
Moonilal promised that the government will expedite the restoration of the Red House and the modernisation of its facilities for parliamentarians and staff that use the facilities.
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