KINGSTON, Jamaica — Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Floyd Green advised Opposition House Leader Phillip Paulwell that the House Committee is not the appropriate forum to examine administrative arrangements, individual employment contracts or staff resignations.

“The matters that you have raised are not in the remit of the House Committee,” Green stated. “It would be quite inappropriate that the committee should examine administrative arrangements, personal employment contracts and staffing resignations.”

According to the minister in a statement, in a letter dated September 29, he outlined the committee’s mandate under Standing Order 71, which assigns it responsibility for considering and advising the speaker on matters connected with the comfort and convenience of members of the House.

Green’s response makes clear that the committee’s work must remain within the responsibilities established by the Standing Orders. Its mandate concerning members’ comfort and convenience does not, in his assessment, extend to examining the employment and staffing matters raised in Paulwell’s correspondence.

Standing Order 71 also provides that the minister responsible for arranging the business of the House shall be a member and chairman of the committee.

Addressing the committee’s ongoing work, Green confirmed that its initial meeting had already been held and that follow-up meetings would take place in due course.

The house leader reiterated that those meetings must address matters properly falling within the committee’s remit.

The ministry said a copy of the response was sent to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Juliet Holness.