PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Honourable Minister of Finance Hiro Shigemoto says he has responded to the questions he received from National Alliance (NA) Honourable Member of Parliament (MP) George Pantophlet via Parliament about two weeks ago.
The Minister has also responded to questions that came from MP Roy Marlin of the Democratic Party (DP) in a letter dated January 28. Hon. Minister Shigemoto responded in a letter on February 8.
MP Marlin questions related to the 2010 and 2011 budgets.
The Minister’s response to Hon. MP George Pantophlet was sent via the President of Parliament since MP Pantophlet’s (letter dated February 3) request came to the Minister via this avenue.
The Department of General Information Services delivered the letter to the clerk at the reception desk of Parliament on February 11, 2011, the same day the Minister dated the letter.
Hon. MP’s letter to the Minister of Finance sought information related to dollarization, creditors of the former Netherlands Antilles, Pelican Resort, Corporate Governance Council, the Gold Reserves, the Social Insurance Bank and the General Pension Fund.
"It is not a matter of the Parliamentarian not being in his right to question the Minister. It is quite evident that the Minister thus far has always answered the questions sent to him by any Parliamentarian.
"And MP George Pantophlet cannot say otherwise. Maybe the problem lies elsewhere and this should be explored by both parties," the Hon. Minister of Finance Hiro Shigemoto said on Wednesday.