Senators return to work

THE UPPER House met yesterday to deal with housekeeping matters two months after it went on summer break on July 30.

This compares with its sister chamber, the Lower House, which took its summer break on July 28 and resumed its sittings on September 14.

However, the absence of a number of senior opposition senators fuelled speculation that they had planned not to turn up.

During a committee meeting on Thursday, A.J. Nicholson, leader of opposition business, was visibly upset when an orderly handed him a note informing him that the Senate would meet on Friday. Nicholson was heard commenting that he could not attend the meeting.

The Gleaner understands that some opposition senators were upset that they had been notified a day before Friday's sitting.

At yesterday's sitting, government members turned out in their numbers in contrast to only two opposition senators. Mark Golding and Norman Grant were the only opposition members present.

Senator Grant said many of his colleagues had not been able to attend the sitting because of the late notification.

Opposition senator Sandrea Falconer later told The Gleaner that she had not been notified that the Senate would be sitting.