Tynwald clerk on Namibia mission

The Clerk of Tynwald has been helping the government of Namibia develop strategies on poverty reduction.

Roger Phillips has just returned from an EU funded mission to the country where he and ex-House of Commons colleague Alan Sandall had been commissioned to work on the parliamentary oversight project.

The scheme is part of a poverty reduction programme in Namibia where the economy is heavily reliant on subsistence farming.

The government is hoping to accelerate economic development through deepening rural development.

Mr Phillips says the main focus of the work was to adapt the Standing Rules and Orders to better reflect modern-day parliament and improve working practices.

A major likely reform will be the enhancement of Standing Committees.

During his five-day visit, Mr Phillips met Prime Minister Angula Nahas and Speaker of the National Assembly Theo-Ben Guirab, as well as a number of minority party leaders.

Mr Phillips will return to Namibia later this month to lead an all-party seminar in the National Assembly chamber.