MP blasts state agencies over lack of support on drafting amendments to banking Act

Member of Parliament Fitz Jackson today blasted government draftsmen and lawyers for their lack of support to help him draft amendments to the Banking Service Act.

Speaking today at a sitting of Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriation Committee (PAAC), Jackson said his attempts to get help from the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, the Attorney General’s Department and the Law Reform Unit in the Justice Ministry have been ignored.

He bemoaned that the state has failed him.

He argued that it is unfortunate that he had to turn to private counsel, including a retired draftsman, for help in drafting the legislation.

The outspoken MP added that it is also unfortunate that the justice system has not helped him in his fight to bring better protection to consumers in the financial sector.

Responding to the concerns, Solicitor General Nicole Foster Pusey said while the chamber offers help to ministries, departments, and agencies, there is no framework to allow it to give support to legislation emanating from a private member’s motion from Parliament.

She said this is an issue which the Parliament would have to address.

Commenting on the matter, the Justice Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Carol Palmer, told Jackson that she would intervene.