McGuire said that he would no longer tolerate disturbances from electronics devices and gadgets when the House is in session. *Photo credit: southlake.ourgreatcity.com

ST. GEORGE’S,  Grenada, CMC – Speaker of the House of Representatives George McGuire has banned the use of cell phones by parliamentarians during sittings of the Lower House.

He made the announcement at the end of the 2010 budget debate on Thursday.

McGuire said that he would no longer tolerate disturbances from electronics devices and gadgets when the House is in session.

“It’s not only intolerable to have electronics devices disturbing the proceeding but it’s wrong and should not be accepted,” he told MPs in his wrap up comments.

During the four-day debate which began on Monday, ringing cell phones were frequently heard.

While imposing the ban, McGuire said that he would make provision for his staff to answer members’ phones and to provide messages to them once the House is in session.