The Leader of the Opposition, Ralph E. Gonsalves, has issued a scathing formal response to Speaker of the House Hon. “In a functioning democracy, the Finance Committee is the engine of transparency, where the executive is held to account for the use of public funds. • Issuing Formal Notices: Sending official notices of the date and time of the Finance Committee meeting to Opposition members. Under Standing Orders 3(3) and 61, the Finance Committee functions as a committee of the whole House where the Clerk is present. “The simple solution is for the Clerk to administer the oath following prayers at the commencement of the Finance Committee meeting.