A suggestion by the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party to abandon the sectoral debate and allow MPs to devote the time to campaign activities for the upcoming general elections was yesterday rejected by government members.

Arguing his point before the debate began at Gordon House yesterday, opposition MP Karl Samuda said from the “utterances” of the government it could be gleaned that the parliamentary life was near an end and so, “most of the members of parliament are not going to be present” because they were in their constituencies.

“They are about the business of doing the work necessary at this time as we come close to the end of this parliament and the campaign is on in earnest on both sides,” Samuda told the House.

He suggested that the House utilise the time scheduled for its sitting on Tuesdays to deal with other House matters rather than engaging in the sectoral debates which have been known to drag on.

“I suggest that a look be taken at that whole process to see whether or not it makes any sense and perhaps forego the debate and continue to do the business of the House… but spare some of those who would regard it as somewhat tedious to come in from their respective constituencies to make up numbers while someone speaks for two hours on matters that we already know most about,” Samuda said,

The suggestion to review the debate schedule was, however, scoffed at by government MP Donald Buchanan, the minister of information and development.

Buchanan, while noting that it was not his prerogative, to reply, said Samuda’s argument was baseless.

“The member from North Central St Andrew made reference to the life of this parliament being at an end, certainly to my clear knowledge we could be here until December. We still have at least another four months to go and there are no signs that I have seen which would indicate anything that would say we are going to truncate that period,” Buchanan said.

According to Buchanan, if the Opposition had a desire to tighten the sectoral debate it should take the matter up with House Leader Peter Phillips.

At the same time, Deputy House Leader Fitz Jackson said efforts would be made to make the debate as efficient as is possible.

But Deputy Leader of Opposition Business Andrew Gallimore said the suggestion made by Samuda had actually come from Jackson himself and expressed surprise that Samuda’s suggestion was rebutted by the government.

“. I find it very strange that he (Jackson) should make a suggestion of this nature and that the member should then speak on that and get this sort of rebuttal from the government side,” Gallimore said.

The sectoral debate which involves the 53 MPs who do not participate in the budget debate, is often the only opportunity for some members to speak about the difficulties faced by their constituencies or address national issues.

It also allows ministers, other than those who participate in the budget debate, to give updates on the performance of their ministries.