Speaker’s Office says no new procedure for parliamentary questions

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives has rejected suggestions that a new procedure governing the submission and tabling of parliamentary questions was introduced in October, saying the process was established in December 2025 and reaffirmed in July this year.

The clarification follows concerns raised by the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) after questions submitted by Leader of Opposition Business Phillip Paulwell and Opposition Member of Parliament Peter Bunting were not tabled during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 6.

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In a statement, the PNP described the decision as a departure from established parliamentary practice, under which Opposition members submit questions to the speaker and the clerk on the day before a sitting for consideration and tabling at the next sitting.