Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

The deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Lloyd B Smith has criticised some of his Parliamentary colleagues saying the legislature needs more qualified members.

According to Smith, who is also the Member of Parliament for St James Central, the Parliament has not escaped from the brain drain in Jamaica.

He says there is now the need for more members with higher competences.

“We need to see more young, educated, sensible people in the House of Parliament,” he said.

Smith was recently at the centre of a controversy in Parliament after he breached the Standing Orders.

Smith had improperly instructed that the House Marshal remove North West St Elizabeth MP JC Hutchinson after the member disobeyed his while trying to regain control of the House during a noisy exchange.

Smith later apologised for his error and other members from both sides of the House expressed regret for their behaviour.

Smith was addressing the installation ceremony of the Montego Bay Rotaract Club on the weekend.

Zaheer Clarke is the new Club president.

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