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{
    "id": 184663,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/184663/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 191,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Deputy Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is on that basis that I actually made the conscious decision to bring the senior most person who was there at that time who was the Senior Deputy Clerk and who was the Acting Clerk because the actual Clerk had gone with you on an overseas trip, to make sure that I do not make a mistake and institutional memory is held by the Clerk's Department. That is only when I confirmed fully from the Clerk's Department that a report cannot be laid on the Floor of the House if it is not brought to my attention or the attention of the Chair or the Speaker for that matter and approved by the Speaker. I had not seen that Report before that. As a matter of fact, Mr. Okemo called me in my office about two hours before that and I told him to come to the office so that we make sure we get the procedure right because at that time Mr. Okemo was asking me if there can be a provision for the extension of the House itself by a few more days to be able to debate this Report and dispose of it. I told him that the Chair does not decide on the extension of the House itself. It is the business of the House Business Committee (HBC), hence the efforts by them to try and convene a HBC which again did not have a quorum. You have said it here that any report to be laid on the Floor of the House must, prior to the laying on the Floor of the House, be brought to the attention of the Speaker through the Clerk's Department. You have already confirmed that it was not brought to my notice. It was signed a few minutes before the House convened on the material day itself. I did it to the best of my judgement. It was the most judicious way I could do it under the circumstances. As the Chair, I do not have any interest in a debate. I am supposed to be impartial to all the sides that are involved in the matter. I wanted to make sure that the right thing was done and I still hold that my ruling on day was complete, relevant and it should not have been tainted by anything partisan at that time, including the mood of the House itself. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is on that premise and for the benefit of the House that I made sure myself--- I did not have any advance copy. I did not approve any. I could not have allowed it to be laid on the Table of House if that provision was not conformed to. It is under those circumstances that I made my ruling. I rest my case!"
}