Introduction

Sherlock Isaacs, Clerk of the National Assembly

This Guyana Parliamentary Guide is a marvelous piece of writing.  It is obvious from the very simplicity of its language that it is written with the public in mind.

Its contents meet the need for information and guidance of every citizen, all teachers, students, research personnel, government officials and Members of Parliament whose duties and interests require knowledge of the operations of the National Assembly.  This Guide is so organized as to present a concise yet comprehensive step by step account of the history of the Public Buildings, the composition of the Parliament and the functions and procedures of the National Assembly. It also gives an insight as to the facilitating role the Parliament Office, which is headed by the Honourable Speaker, plays in the effective functioning of the Legislative Branch of our system of government.

It is envisaged that in the near future, qualified reference staff will be recruited for the Parliamentary library.  The reference staff will fill requests for information using electronic sources.  They will also provide statistics on all subjects and advise Members of Parliament on the validity and use of these statistics.  The library will also provide research services to produce background paper on policy issues and other matters to be debated in Parliament.  This will be done upon requests by Members of Parliament. 

In addition, a Committees Division has been created and specialized professional staff will be recruited to staff the new section of the office.   The Committees Division staff will also provide research services, advice and information to Members of Parliamentary Standing Committees and Sub-Committees.

It is felt that the recruitment of the research staff for the library and the establishment of the Committees Division will greatly enhance the quality of debates in the National Assembly, and help those Members who sometimes have very little time to study and research the topic under discussion.

It is also hoped that an Information Technology Unit will be established so that each Member of Parliament can be provided with individual access to the internet; that a Parliamentary Website can be established and that each Member, if they so desire, can establish his/her own website.