By Lynford Simpson, Staff ReporterMICHAEL PEART, former Minister of State for Finance, has emerged as the front-runner for appointment as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He would replace Violet Nielson who served as Speaker from 1997 to 2002.
Mr. Peart, a three-term Member of Parliament, is the brother of Dean, the Minister of Land and the Environment, and he had served as Deputy Speaker.
Information Minister Bur-chell Whiteman admitted yesterday that Michael Peart was a "strong candidate." How-ever, he would not confirm whether the decision not to reappoint Mr. Peart as a Minister of State meant that he was a certainty for the job of Speaker.
"That's a strong rumour, but I think he's a strong candidate...," Senator Whiteman said.
