Parliament has a department of research services

In response to the letter “MPs need research assistants to help them make informed decisions” (Daily Monitor, January 25), Parliament would like to clarify that there are a number of departments in the parliamentary service through which a team of dedicated staff provide elected Members of Parliament with administrative support. The parliamentary service comprises 12 departments.

The Department of Research Services is charged with providing research services to MPs, committees and staff of Parliament.

While it has not been possible to provide each Member of Parliament with his or her individual research assistant(s) or researcher(s), the department currently provides adequate research services to members upon request.

Katamba Mohammed, Senior information officer- Parliament