IT IS regrettable Drew Forrest has chosen to ascribe views to me without referring to statements I have made (Business Day, In Sight, January 25 2001). I never said "Parliament cannot initiate investigations of its own or subcontract' other agents".

The statement I released on December 27 referred to the different mandates and reporting lines of the four agencies and said "A committee of the National Assembly has no authority to subcontract its work to any of these bodies, nor require them to undertake any particular activity, or to report directly to the committee".

The statement reiterated support for the inquiry by SCOPA and the offer made to the chairperson in November to provide "resources for research and other support", and the availability of law advisers and legal consultants: Precisely what Drew Forrest and others have suggested the Speaker should have done.

With acknowledgement to Frene Ginwala Speaker of the National Assembly and Business Day.