A deputy essential

Speaker of the House Hendrick Alenxander Monday told Parliament that when he asked CRC Chairman Parnell Campbell Q.C. to accept the role of chairman following the resignation of Professor Nigel Liverpool, Campbell’s response was that he enjoyed being a deputy since “deputies are very essential.” {{more}}

This light-hearted moment followed remarks from both the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition after CRC Chairman Parnell Campbell presented the Final Report of the Commission to Parliament.

The Speaker was presiding over the House for the first time since he fell ill in December. That illness occasioned the postponement of the January sitting of the House.

Alexander said that although he has to travel abroad “for a medical procedure” he wanted to be present at this historic moment, the presentation of the Final Report of the Constitutional Review Commission.

He expressed confidence in the ability of Deputy Speaker Senator Juliette George to conduct proceedings in his absence. Alexander commented, in reference to persons who may have expressed doubts in his deputy’s ability that we in this country tend “to major in minors.”

And it was Senator George who had to deputize for Alexander later in the sitting when the latter left the House.