DIEGO Martin Central MP Dr Amery Browne was last Friday night removed from Parliament for three hours by House Speaker Wade Mark, after speaking back to him.

He was removed during National Security Minister Jack Warner's contribution to debate on the Defence (Amendment) Bill at Tower D, International Waterfront Centre, Port of Spain.

While Warner was speaking, Browne was reprimanded for cross-talk by Mark, who said: "Diego Martin Central, could you cooperate?"

Warner then proceeded with his contribution, but 30 seconds later Mark intervened again. He told him: "Member for Diego Martin Central, I would like you to just cool it. Cool it. You are using language where you are seated, where you are not even supposed to be speaking. I appeal to you... Don't answer me. Listen. If you speak one more time... Member, leave this chamber for three hours and return in that period. Could you kindly leave?"

When Browne remained, Mark reiterated: "Member, I have asked you to leave this chamber for three hours. Three hours. And you can return thereafter. Please."

Browne eventually gathered his papers and left the chamber.

Warner commented: "When I was sitting down, I was saying to myself, 'God I pray, don't let my grandchildren or my children see this level of indiscipline.' I really... hope so."

Mark also laid down the law earlier in the sitting. Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley questioned whether new clauses to the bill were properly before the Parliament, and Mark ruled that "everything that is before us is properly before us".

The Opposition bench responded with a collective "no".

He told them: "Listen. I have ruled that these matters are properly before the House. And if members and so on have objections when you speak, you can object, but I am saying that I have ruled. And in any event, when I rule you can make a substantive motion, you can't object to what I have said. Okay? You can bring a substantive motion and debate my presence here. In the meantime, don't question or appeal my ruling, please."