By Robert Hart, Staff ReporterMEMBERS OF the House of Representatives have paid tribute to Parliament's Chief Hansard writer, Gretel Lawrence, on the culmination of her 14 years of service at Gordon House.
Mrs. Lawrence, who went on early retirement at the end of last Tuesday's sitting of the Lower House became the centre of attention for a brief moment before the opening of the day's debate. Members from both the Government and the Opposition acknowledged her with humorous recollections.
"Her patience has been exemplary and her ability to deduce and record sense from things that are verbalised must be legendary," Dr. Peter Phillips, Leader of the House, said of a beaming Mrs. Lawrence as she looked down from the Gallery.
He continued: "Sometimes when I read what Hansard has recorded and try to recall myself what was said by some persons, I think that her capacity for translation and interpretation goes a long way."
Joining the Government in wishing Mrs. Lawrence well in her retirement, Delroy Chuck, Opposition Member of Parliament for North East St. Andrew, said he had no doubt that the country may occasionally call on her service.
"If not in the service of Parliament, the work of a stenographer is always required in various areas of Government," he said.
Hansard is the official verbatim report of proceedings in the Houses of Parliament, and standing committees. Members of Parliament words are reported, with the omission of repetitions and redundancies as well as the correction of obvious mistakes. However, no changes are made which can distort the meaning of speeches or subvert arguments put forward.
Today there are nine writers and four proof-readers in Parliament, included in the team which does Hansard reporting for posterity.
Mrs. Lawrence said there was only one other writer when she first arrived.
