The Government has called on the Opposition to propose changes to standing orders over debate schedules after complaints were made about shifting calendars.

On Wednesday, Robin Tucker, the Opposition Leader in the Senate, called for advanced schedule for sittings of the House of Assembly and the Senate to allow MPs and Senators to plan better.

However, a government spokeswoman responded: “The legislature regulates its own procedure under the respective standing orders for both the House and the Senate.

“Changes to those rules is a process and should the Opposition wish to suggest such changes, they may find it more useful to actually engage in the business of the legislature rather than media releases that achieve little on behalf of the people the legislators represent.”

The spokeswoman said that the sittings of the House for each season are communicated in advance of each session.

“Where those dates are required to change, as much advance notice as possible is provided and most MPs work hard to adjust their schedules to fulfil their elected and appointed responsibilities.

“The Senate typically meets after the House of Assembly to consider legislation, and proposed dates can be changed with the permission of the president of the Senate, as was done due to the vacancy in the Senate due to the by-election.”

The House of Assembly is scheduled to sit tomorrow and on May 31, with future sittings on June 14, June 28, July 12 and July 19 as part of the summer session.