Today’s meeting between Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday, which will be held at the Diplomatic Centre in Port of Spain, was at the insistence of Panday, Manning told reporters at the end of a walkabout in his San Fernando East constituency.

Manning said, ’It was Panday’s idea and I did not hesitate to agree with him.’

He said the discussion will centre around crime and constitutional reform and Attorney General John Jeremie will be present at the meeting.

Manning said the request by Panday was timely because ’there are many issues that will be brought before the National Security Council when it meets next.’

Manning said another reason why he accepted the proposition by the Opposition Leader was because it came at a time when he has completed his round of political education.

As far as constituency matters were concerned Manning said, ’Throughout the constituency the cry was the same. The need for houses and more houses.’ He said at no time was the question of unemployment raised among his constituents.

Yesterday’s walkabout was the third in a series started two weeks ago by the party. Manning said the idea was to keep abreast with constituents on what is going on in the country.

At yesterday’s walkabout there were fewer uniformed police officers.

The next walkabout is planned for Wednesday in Cocoyea South, one of the PNM’s strongholds.