Cricket Bill deferred

Georgetown : The second reading of the Guyana Cricket Administration Bill 2012-Bill No.31/2013 was yesterday deferred by the National Assembly to allow for the members of both sides of the House to pursue and to be properly advised, with regards to a 300 plus Writ of summons, filed on behalf of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and 10 other plaintiffs seeking declarations and order by the Court regarding the House’s ability to pass the cricket legislation.

The court’s motion brings actions against the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony and the Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman.

Trotman, who yesterday morning received the documents, urged that the House defer the bill’s second reading, to better understand the document. He did note however, that the motion is not in any way a bar on the House and its ability to proceed with the Bill.

“I have not had a chance to read this document and I hold the view that the court cannot injunction this House from proceeding with debate on the bill. For my own part I would like to read what is being said here…I do not know whether I would need legal counsel …nevertheless I do believe that some time should be taken to consider the document,” he said.

The Speaker said that he would have conferred with members of both government and opposition on the matter and when asked, the House agreed to defer the bill’s second reading.

The Guyana Cricket Administration Bill 2012-Bill No.31/2013 seeks to intitule an Act to make provisions for the incorporation of autonomous national cricket administration organisations in Guyana and to provide for other matters connected therewith. The bill was read for the first time and committed to the Special Select Committee on December 20, 2012.

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