House Speaker Halson Moultrie said yesterday that he is minded to introduce in the House of Assembly a prime minister’s question time where the prime minister will be obligated to answer questions put to him by any member of Parliament.

However, it is unclear what provision in law or in the House rules Moultrie can rely on to introduce a prime minister’s question time on the House agenda.

“I’m so happy that we have set a precedent here today where, voluntarily, the members have agreed to answer questions,” Moultrie said during debate on the mid-year budget.

“Now, this is the first Wednesday in the month and next Wednesday will be the second Wednesday.

“Now, this debate is expected to continue into next Wednesday. So, I want to put everyone on notice that the questions that are on the agenda be prepared to answer them.

“As a matter of fact, the chair is also minded to introduce a prime minister’s question time so that the prime minister will be obligated to answer questions put to him by any member, not necessarily the opposition. When we examine the mature democracies of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, this is the way democracy unfolds.

“Our constitution calls for the executive branch to be answerable and accountable to the Parliament, Article 72.”

Article 72 states, “There shall be a Cabinet for The Bahamas which shall have the general direction and control of the government of The Bahamas and shall be collectively responsible thereof to Parliament.”

Last week, Moultrie said that the House rule that allows the government to circumvent question time is unconstitutional.

“I am giving notice that the rules will be interpreted in such a way that members will be given the opportunity to ask questions and to answer questions,” he said.

Rule 39(1) outlines the order of business of each sitting of Parliament. Rule 39(2) states that unless the House determines otherwise, the House shall proceed, on the second Wednesday in each month, with the agenda that allows for question time.

The government has, on at least two occasions, been challenged on question time. The first time was on December 12, 2018, and the other was last month. Both times, the government moved a motion that the House continue with its normal agenda and not the agenda outlined for the second Wednesday of each month.

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