by BARRY ALLEYNE

NINETY MINUTES!

That's how long it took for Prime Minister David Thompson to have his first heated exchange in the House of Assembly with Opposition Leader Mia Mottley.

Just an hour-and-a-half into the first working session in the Lower Chamber since the January 15 general election, Thompson rose to defend the air transport used by a Government delegation to Trinidad and Tobago last week.

Mottley, in a contribution during debate on a resolution to "take note" of the Throne Speech, said she didn't understand why Thompson and his 20-member team would be rattled by criticism of the speech, but should instead be rattled if the Opposition queried the circumstances under which the delegation travelled on a private jet allegedly chartered by local company CLICO.

"Government paid for it," Thompson stated, adding that the cost of using the jet was equal to the same price had the five-person delegation flown commercially.

He said Government sought use of the Jet Centre at Grantley Adams International Airport and paid for it, even though the Trinidad government had offered to pay.

"The idea about a jet being sent for us to travel free is not true," Thompson declared. "No one accepted any gifts or freeness to travel to any country."

He added that the decision to source a jet from the Jet Centre was not a strange one, since many such aircraft offered their services during down time to work like any commercial airline.

"I look forward to finding out the cost of use of the aircraft, and the landing fees associated with it," Mottley interjected.

The Opposition Leader then warned Thompson her side of the Lower Chamber would have its eyes peeled.

"The Prime Minister has said transparency and accountability will be hallmarks of his administration. We will be watching," Mottley concluded.

In response, Thompson said Government would take no action other than to improve the lives of all Barbadians.

The sparring between the two leaders was thoroughly enjoyed by spectators in the Public Gallery, who had gathered outside the historic Parliament Building from as early as 9 a.m. to meet and greet first-time Members of Parliament for the 10 a.m. sitting.

Please also see Pages 6A, 7A, 26A and 27A.