Port-of-Spain: Major changes could be coming to the Parliament soon, once members of both houses give their approval.
One of the major changes could see the prime minister being grilled by Opposition Members of Parliament while giving an account of national affairs on a weekly basis.
The announcement was made today by Speaker of the House of Representatives Wade Mark and Senate President Timothy Hamel-Smith, who both say its time the population becomes aware of how relevant parliament is to the future of the country's democracy.
If the present Speaker and Senate President both have their way, Parliament will have greater autonomy over its finances and operations.
According to Mark the Standing Orders now used are outdated having been implemented back in Mark says some new changes could alse see the speaking time of members being reduced and a new parliamentary privileges act.
He says a new system similar to the one in the United Kingdom, where the prime minister is made to account at least once a week and is questioned by Opposition MPs on developments in the country, could also be implemented.
The Speaker adds that as one of the most important institutions the Parliament should have the first and final says about its own operations.
While, these major changes all hinge on approval from members of both the upper and lower houses, the Senate president says the Parliament will be embarking on a public outreach campaigns in March 2012.
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