MEDIA STATEMENT: PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
Government strongly rejects claims in the weekend press reports (under the headline, Ministers duck MPs' queries) that certain Cabinet Ministers disregard Parliamentary oversight by failing to answer Parliamentary questions.
Ministers take their Parliamentary work responsibilities very seriously and are cognisant of the crucial role that Parliament plays in holding the executive to account and performing oversight over the workings of Government.
In many instances Ministers in fact do more than just comply with expectations, even as they face their mammoth service delivery obligations which often demand their involvement in activities in addition to their National Assembly obligations.
While Ministers strive to ensure that replies to Parliamentary questions are submitted within the stipulated ten day period, there are instances where the questions demand extensive research and supporting statistical data.
In other instances, information which resides outside departments, or are the prerogative of others spheres of Government place Ministers is in a position where they are not able to respond to such questions.