By Garwin Davis, Assistant News EditorTEMPERS FLARED yesterday at Gordon House as members on both sides of the political aisle traded barbs following an accusation levelled against the Government by Opposition Spokesperson on Finance, Audley Shaw.
Mr. Shaw, in response to the presentation of a Bill brought before the House by Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, said he has information to indicate that the controversial issue regarding the widespread hiring of Government consultants required much more than "a review" which had been ordered by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.
Waving a copy of the rules set out by the Ministry of Finance's public service establishments division, concerning guidelines for hiring practises within the Government sector, Mr. Shaw said it was clear that there have been serious breaches by the Patterson-led administration which required an independent investigation.
"I can give examples," he bellowed, amid hecklings from the Government bench. "Despite having a raft of communications specialists in Jamaica House, the Minister of National Security, in his capacity as Acting Prime Minister a few weeks ago, opted to use the services of a private public relations company owned by a former Minister of Government," Mr. Shaw said.
"This was never reported ... I didn't see this name on the list of consultants on the Government's payroll. This is just another layer of deception more work for the boys good old fashioned bollo work. It makes a mockery of good governance."
Mr. Shaw continued: "If this review, ordered by the Prime Minister, is to be considered credible, it must use as a benchmark the guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Finance. It must show that positions were advertised, were put out to tender and that persons indeed had the required qualifications."
The Prime Minister last week assigned Cabinet Secretary Dr. Carlton Davis to conduct a review of the process in which Government consultants were hired.
Mr. Patterson's decision came following the disclosure that Government has been forking out more than $95 million annually in consultancy fees, including huge sums to former Members of Parliament connected to the ruling People's National Party (PNP).
It had also been revealed that more than $30 million of the reported sum was paid to consultants operating out of the Office of the Prime Minister.
A visibly angry Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security, accused Mr. Shaw of breaching "the spirit in which we conduct this Parliament" for the purpose of scoring political points.
"A review has been ordered yet, before awaiting the result, he uses the protection of the Parliament to impugn the integrity of others," Dr. Phillips charged, his comments resonating cheers from the Government side and jeers from Opposition members.
"He uses words like corruption loosely ... he talks loosely about the qualifications of persons in the public sector - this is not about the search for truth. Look, if you want to have a genuine debate - if you want to seek an exploration of issues concerning the management of this country, don't come here seeking cheap politics."
He added: "For the past three days we have been having meetings with the private sector seeking solutions to some of the problems facing this country and all we can hear from that side is oppose, oppose, oppose. Let us wait for the review before we start casting aspersions."
Opposition Leader Edward Seaga, who sat expressionless while listening to the exchanges up to that point, rose to defend his party's finance spokesman.
"While consultants and advisors are necessary, it has never been an issue under my Government," Mr. Seaga said. "It was never an issue during Norman Manley's time also. I hear the Leader of the Government Business (referring to Dr. Phillips) and I recognise his unchallenged talent of drawing red herrings.
"However, what this side maintains and will continue to maintain is that it is wrong to place a person in a position as a consultant when they do not have the qualification to do so - when you do that you create bogus consultants and we will continue to oppose, oppose, oppose."
Finance Minister Dr. Davies, responding to the charges, warned that "It's a dangerous game that we are playing. In some instances the skills that are required are just not available. To just accuse people of being incompetent is not right. I am very concerned about some of the points that have been raised. We can't reject in advance ... we can't out-scandalise each other."
Turning to the Opposition hecklers he said, "I understand you are here to oppose, oppose, oppose but I understand, you have had years of practising that."
