Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697742899271.pdf (Guyana)
�ATIONAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 44TB SITTING OF TBE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF TBE FIRST SESSION (1992-1994) OF GUYANA HELD OF THE SIXTH PARLIAMENT AT 2.00 P.M. ON THURSDAY, 10TB NOVEMBER, 1994 IN ·reE PARLIAMENT CHAMBER, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, GEORGETOWN MEMBERS OF TBB NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (73) Speaker (1) The Hon.

Derek C Jagan, S.C., J.P., M.P., Speaker of the National Assembly Members of the Government - People's Progressive Party/Civic (43) The Bon.

Samuel A. Binds, M.P., Prime Minister The Hon.


Reepu Daman Persaud, J.P., M.P., Senior Minister of Agriculture (Leader of the Bouse) M.P., Senior Minister of Home Affairs The Bon.

S. Feroze Mohamed, (Government Chief Whip) Nokta, M.P., Senior Minister in the Ministry of Public Works, Communications The Hon.

Barripersaud * The Hon.

Asgar Ally, M.P., Senior Minister of Finance * The Hon.

Rev.

Dr. Ramnauth • The Hon.


Bernard C. Desantos, S.C., M.P., Attorney General and Education and Cultural Development M.P., senior Minister of (Absent - on leave) Bisnauth, and Regional Development * Minister of Legal Affairs The Hon.

Dr. Henry a. Jeffrey, M.P., Senior Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security The Hon.

Clement J. Rohee, M.P., Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs The Hon.

Gail Teixeira, The Hon.


M. Shree Chan, M. p. • senior Minister of Trade, Tourism M. p. I Senior Minister of Health and Industry Mrs. Janet Jagan, 0.

E., M.P.

The Bon.

Clinton c. Collymore,M.P.1 of Agriculture Minister in the Ministry Labour, Ruman Services and Social Security The Bon.

Indranie Chandarpal, * The Hon.

F. Vibert Desouza, M.P., Minister in the Ministry of Public * The Hon.
George E. Fung-On, M.P., Minister in the Office of M.P., Minister in the Ministry of and Regional Development Works, Communications * the 1?

resident The Hon.

Bharrat Jagdeo, M.P., Minister in the Ministry of Finance * Non-elected Member I .. .

2.

M.P.

M.P.

Mr. Moses v. Nagamootoo, M.P.

Mr. Cyril c. Belgrave, Mr. Fazil M. Ali, M.P.

Mr. Busman Alli, M.P.

Mr. Shaik K.Z.

Baksh, Mr. Komal Chand, M.P.

Mrs. Shirley V. Edwards, M.P.

Dr. Bughley H. Banoman, M.P.

Mrs. una A. James, M.P.


Mr. Alston A. Kissoon, M.P.

Dr. Moti Lall, M.P.

Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, M.P.

Mr. Donald Ramotar, M.P.

Mr. Lawrence E. Rodney, M.P.

Mrs. Pauline Sukhai, M.P.

Mr. Winslow M, Zephyr, M.P.

Mr. Reuben A. Gilbert, M.P.

Mr. Edward DaSilva, M.P.

Mr. Khadim Bacchus, M.P.

(National Mr:.

Samad A. Baksh, M. P. ( Region No.

2 -Pomeroon/Supenaam) Mr. Harrinarine Baldeo, M.P.

(Region No.

5 -Mahaica/Berbice) Mr. Joseph Desouza, M.P.

(Region No.
(Region No.

l -Barima/Waini) Mr. Eugene La Cruz, M.P.

Mr. Bagot Paul, M.P.

(Region No.

8 -Potaro/Siparuni) Mr. Kum Karan Ramdas, M.P.

(Region No.

6 -East Berbice/Corentyne) Mr. Ramrattan, Congress of Local Democratic (Region No.

3 -Essequibo M.P., a/k Balkarran Islands/ Organs) West Demerara) (Region No.

9 -Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) ( i) People's National Congress (26) �embers of the Minority (29) Ally, M.P.
A.A., M.P., Chief Whip Hoyte, s.c., M.P., Minority Leader Mr. B. Desmond Mr. Robert H.O.

Corbin, M.P.

Mr. Winston s. Murray, c.c.e., M.P.

or.

Patrick L. McKenzie, Mrs. Clarissa Riehl, M.P.

Dr. Kenneth F.S.

King, M.P.

Mr. Deryck M.A.

Bernard, M.P.

(Absent) Mr. Dunstan Barrow, M.P.

Miss Amna Miss Jean M.G.

Persico, A.A., M.P.

Mr. Arthur A. Alexander, Mr. Simon H. Ng-See-Quan, M.P.

Mr. David Subnauth1 M.P.

(Absent) Mr. Reynold N. David, M.P.

(Region No.


7 -Cuyuni/Mazaruni) Mr. M. Idris Deen, M.P.

(Absent) Mr. Aftabuddin Mrs. Cyriida A.DeJesus, M.P.

Mr. Kenrick Tyndall, Mr. Phillip Bynoe, M.P.

(Region No.

10 -Upper Demerata/Berbice) Mr. Andy Gouveia, M.P.

Mr. Hukumchand, Miss Joan C. Richards, Miss Gwenneth A. Brouet, M. P. ( ilbsen t -on leave) Mr. John�.

Ftedericks, M.P.

Mr. Ivan Peters, M.P.

Mr. Hubert K.H.

Byman, M.P.

M.P., Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly (Region No.
4 -Demerara/Mahaica) M.P.

(Absent - on leave) M.P., a/k Parag Ahamad, M.P.

(Absent) M.P.

I .. .

(ii) Working People's Alliance (2) 3.

Dr. Clive Y. Thomas, C.C.H., M.P.

Mr. Matheson Williams, M.P.

(National Organs) Congress of Local Democratic (iii)The United Force (1) Mr. Manzoor Nadir, M.P.

Mr. Frank A. Narain, A.A., Mr. Sherlock E. Isaacs, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly Clerk of the National Assembly OFFICERS COMMENCEMENT OF SITTING The Sitting commenced at 2.00 p.m.
The Clerk read Prayers.

OATH OF A NEW MEMBER Mr. Bubert Hyman, M.P.

The Speaker stated that following the resignation of Dr.

Faith Harding from the National Assembly the name of Hubert Hyman was extracted from the People's National Congress List of Candidates and that Mr. Byman was, on 26th September, elected Member of the National Assembly to fill the vacancy.
1994, declared to be an The Speaker said that before Mr. Byman could take part in the proceedings 167 of the Constitution, of the Assembly, he would have, as required by article to make and subscribe the oath of office.

As Mr. Hyman was present, the oath was administered to him by the Clerk.
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER (i)Leave The Speaker announced that leave had been granted to­ (i) The Hon.Ramnauth Bisnauth for that day's Sitting, (ii)Miss Joan Richards up to 20th November, 1994, and (iii)Miss Gwenneth Brouet up to the end of December, 1994.

I. .

• (ii) HANSARD FOR 43RD SITTING - 22ND SEPTEMBER, 1994 4.
The Speaker stated that at the last Sitting of the National Assembly on 22nd September, Members that the arrangements had been regularised entered into for the production and that a formal agreement 1994, he had informed of Hansard had been with the new producer - F.C.E Systems.

The Bansard for that Sitting - the 43rd f.or the session - had been produced and copies thereof had been circulated to Members.
The Producer wished to thank Members for their involvement in the exercise and looked forward to their continued and co-operation them for revision.

in returning promptly speeches sent to support (iii) CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME T5)_ M!_.

__ 8U81::RT Blffll\N• The Speaker on behalf of Members of the Assembly and himself, congratulated welcomed him to the Assembly and extended best wishes to him.
Mr. Hubert Hyman on his election, PRESENTATION OF PAPERS ANtl REPORTS, ETC.- (1) By the Prime Minister: (1) Annual Report of the Office of the President for the year 1993.

(Circulated) (ii)Annual Report of the Ministry of Public Works, Communications and Regional Development for the year 1993.

(Circulated) (2) By the Senior Minister of �inance: Amendment to the Report of the Auditor General on the Public Accounts of Guyana and on the Accounts of Ministries/Departments/Regions the Fiscal year ended 1993.
31st December, for (Circulated) I. .

.

5.

( 3) By the Senior Minister of Agriculture (Leader of House) on behalf of the �nior Mi�ister of Education and Cultural Developme.!

:!J:: the Annual Report of the Teaching Service Commission for the year 1993.

(Circulated) (4) By the Attorney General and Minister of f,egal A�_f.E-i_r�: Annual Report of the Ministry of Legal Affairs for the year 1993.
(Circulated) (5) By the senior Minister of Labour, Buman Services and Social Security: Review of the Operations of the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund for the year 1993.

(Circulated) {6) By the Senior Minister of Trade, Tourism and I_ndus..!

:}"_r: (i) Agreement between the Government of Guyana and Atiantic Tele-network, Inc., dated 18th June, 1990.

(Circulated) (ii)Guyana Office for Investment Order 1994 (No.

38 of 1994), made under sections 3 and 4 of the Public Corporations 1988 (No.
21 of 1988), on 22nd August, Act 1994, and published in the Gazette on 27th August, 1994.

(Circulated) (7) By the Chairman of the S.E_ecial_Select Committee ?..�.E�inted o..!_�-�-!i!

!.<:n to review the Medical Termination .£X_B .i.!

)._l_� 9 3: Report of the Special Select Committee appointed of Pregnancy Bill 1993. to review the Medical Tet'mination (Circulated) I ... 6.

PUBLIC BUSINESS BILLS - Second and Third Readings ITEM l - LICENSED PREMISES (�MENDMBNT) BILL 1994 - Bill No.
14/1994 published 30.7.94 The Senior Miniter of Labour, Human Services and Social Security moved the second Bill: reading of the following A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Licensed Premises Act.

The followinq Members spoke to the motion: Mr. Arthur Alexander or.

Clive Thomas.

Services and Social Security replied.

Thereafter, the Senior Minister of Labour, Human The motion was then� and carried.

taken through its remaining stages and �ssed as pr?

:,_nted .
:,_nted .

The Bill was read a second time and was thereafter .

ITEM� - LABOUR (CONDITIONS OF �MPLOY-M.�NT OF CERTAIN WORKE!l,S) (AMENDMENT) 30.7.94 BILL 1994.

-.

Bill _No ._!.5/1994 published and social Security moved the second reading of the following Bill: The Senior Minister of Labour, Human Services A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Labour (Conditions Employment of of Certain Workers) Act.

Mr. Arthur Alexander spoke to the motion.

Thereafter and Social Security replied.


the S<'nior ninister of Labour, Human Services The motion was then £Ut and �arried.

The Bill was read a second time.

the Bill Clause by Clause.

Assembly resolved itself into Committee to consider I .. .

7.

In Committee Clause 3 The following amendment by Dr. Clive Thomas was agreed to: of the words "a minimum of" Substitution for the word "at" in the third line of the proposed section 4(2).

Cla�s� was then passed as amended.


The following amendment by Dr. Clive Thomas was agreed to:- Insertion of the words "not less chan'' between the words "of" and "one-quarter" in the sixth line of the proposed section 5 ( b) • Clause 4 was then �_!leq as amended.

Clauses 5 to 7 were �ssed as l!!In�d.

Assemblx__ resumed.

on a motion by the Senior Human Services and Social Security the Sill was read the third -u---.- time and �assed as amended.
Minister of Labour, ITEl'I 3 - BAKERIES (BOORS OF WORK) (AMENDl'IKNT) BILL 1994 - Bill No.

16/1994 published 30.7.94 On a motion by the Senior Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security the following and was thereafter as prin_!.ed_!

taken through its remaining stages and .e.asseq Bill wa:: r:ead a second ti A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Bakeries (Hours of Work) Act.

ITEM 4 LABOUR (AMENDl'lENT) BILL 1994 - Bill No.


17/1994 published 30.7.94 The Senior Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security moved the second reading of the following B ill: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Labour Act.

e. The following Members spoke to the motion:­ Mr, Arthur Alexander Or.

Clive Thomas• Thereafter the Senior Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security replied.

The motion was£�� and carried.


---- The Bill was read a second time and was thereafter taken through its remaining stages and passed as printed.

ITEM 5 - CUSTOMS (AMENDMENT) (NO.

2) BILL 1994 - Bill No.

18/1994 published 22.9.94 The Senior Minister of Finance moved the second reading of the following Bill: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Customs Act.

The following Members spoke to the motion: Mr. Winston Murray Dr. Clive Thomas.
Mr. Manz ooc Nadir was -speaking to the motion when the time for the suspension was reached.

SUSPENSION OF SITTING At 4.00 p.m. the Sitting was suspended for refreshments.

RESUMPTION OF SITTING At 4.30 p.m. the Sitting was resumed.

RESUl'lPT�ON OF DEBATE ON BILL Mr. Nadir continued and concluded his Speech.

The following Members also spoke:- The Minister in the Ministry Mr. Robert Corbin Mr. Arthur Alexande� of Finance Thereafter, the Senior Minister of Finance replied.

The motion was then .EE.!


and �ied.

The Bill was read a second time and was thereafter taken thc-ough its c-emaining stages and E_a��d as E_rinted.

I. .

.

MOTIONS 9.
The Senior �inister of Foreign Affairs moved the following motion: WHEREAS the Filth In�er-sess1onal meeting ol the conference Community, agreed that the Caribbean Community's member Htates of the Cacibbea11 in Kingstown St. Vincent ilnd the Gnanadines, of Heads of Government would indicate co che United Scates their desire to be listed es eligible for accession to the North American Free Trade Agreement; /\ND WHE:REAS the Heads of Governmenl rec.og11ised "that the implementing legislation for NAFTA did not seek to alleviate the potential adverse impacc'' on the economies of the Region; ANO WHE:REAS the Heads recognised thal N/l!
"TA is for lhe immediate a critical factor which has implications development of the Region, and dec,ded to seek to be included in the list of countries el19ible negotiations for entry into NAFTA; for early AND WHERE:AS the Caribbean Co111mur11 cy Scccet.ariat has been mandated to organise a comprehensivP the implications CARICOM and its individual for of NAFTA and NAFTA membership member states: study of /\NO WHEREAS it was also agreed, at the Fifth meeting of Heads o( t;ovcr11me11t Lo Inter-sessional continue to seek parity of Lreacment Coe CSI excluded products since t.he negoUating pcocess for-11egoc1 a ting the Community's with NAFTI\ may lake some lLn•e; relationship ANO WHEREAS the President of the United States of America has assured the Chairman o( the Caribbean community that the Government with the Congce:;s, is examining a in co,,sultation package of measures to address the concerns of the Community on the impact ot NAFTA un their economles; of the United States, ANO WHEREAS the Government of Guyana has been discussing the impllcations Agre�nient: with the private and public �ectnr agencies of the North l\n,ericou E'rt'e Tra<l<' I .. .
• • 10.
AND WHEREAS the Government a draft Bilateral of the United States of Treaty and Investment America has submitted a draft Intellectual of Guyana for its consideration: Property Rights Agreement to the Government AND WHEREAS the Government of Guyana is committed to ensuring the involvement in the national consultations on the draft Treaty and Agreement and on the implica-tions of the North American Free Trade Agreement: of every interested citizen and organisation BE IT RESOLVED: That this National Assembly supports the initiative to promote the national interest of Guyana as well as of the Government its commitments to in seeking accession to the NAFTA.
the Caribbean Community The following Members spoke to the motion: Mr. Winston Murray or.

Clive Thomas Mr. Manzoor Nadir.

Thereafter the Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs replied.

The motion was then p�£ and carried.
ITBK 7 - RATIFICATION OF THE UNITKD NATIONS_CONVENTION _O!f_ TB� LAW OF TRE SEA The Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs moved the following motion: WHEREAS the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was opened for signature 1982: in Kingston, Jamaica, on 10th December, ANO WHEREAS the aforesaid Convention has been hailed as the most significant international regime for all uses of the maritime spaces beyond national in so far as it prescribes legal instrument to be negotiated community, by the a comprehensive jurisdictions: AND WHEREAS participation Convention has and relevance for the conduct of Guyana's in the aforesaid particular importance foreign policy, both bilaterally and multilaterally; I• .
.

11.

AND WHEREAS the aforesaid Convention of Ratification of Accession for its entry requires the Deposit of sixty Instruments into force: Instrument AND WHEREAS by the deposit by Guyana of the sixtieth of 16 November, 1993, the aforesaid of Ratification Convention shall enter into force on November 16, 1994; BE IT RESOLVED: That the National Assembly hereby endorses the decision of the Executive to Ratify the United Nations Convention the Law of the Sea.
on Mrs. Clarissa Riehl spoke to the motion Thereafter the Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs replied.

The motion was then £Ut and ��rried.

ADJOURNMENT At 7.00 p.m., on a motion by the Senior Minister of Agriculture a date to be fixed.

(Leader of the House), the Assembly was adjourned to -�L- o.-t.'.

')JAGAN Speaker of the National Assembly PARL IA.MENT 0-fFICE, Public Buildings, Georgetown.

10th November, 1994