KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz walked out of the House of Representatives today after failing to have his motion to censure former Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson debated.

Vaz wanted Dr Ferguson censured for his handling of the bacteria outbreak, which resulted in the deaths of 19 babies, as well as other health issues under his watch.

But, Leader of the House Phillip Paulwell said that Dr Ferguson was no longer the minister of health; and secondly, motions critical of the conduct of ministers, individually or collectively, do not fall within the Westminster convention that requires that priority be given to those which test the House’s confidence in the Government.

“Therefore, there is no established basis for my giving priority to this motion, which relates to an individual minister at this time,” Paulwell said.

Dr Ferguson took over today as Minister of Labour and Social Security, after being removed from the Ministry of Health.

Balford Henry