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{
    "id": 186689,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/186689/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 337,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Deputy Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Members, indeed, the Government side is supposed to give information that is relevant to the Question. Under Standing Order No.11, the Government is given the leeway to treat certain information as secret. Standing Order No.37(11) says:- \"A Question shall not seek information which in its nature is secret\". I do understand that on the face value, the Question is general, pertinent and all information you want to seek should be a matter for common knowledge. However, again, in businesses if a Government is involved in certain matters of secret nature, then the House or Members cannot force a Government Minister to divulge the information. Nonetheless, the role of Parliament is to hold the Government accountable. The Prime Minister is part of that Government and the Minister is also part of that Government. Backbenchers have relevant departmental committees to interrogate Government actions and inactions and effectively bring out matters that will help in change of policy. There are relevant committees which do not need the ruling of the Chair to constitute themselves and summon the Minister or directors of the relevant companies, in this case RVR. I besiege Members of the Backbench, who are the chairs and Members of these committees, to use the provisions of the Standing Orders and the authority they have to interrogate these issues outside the plenary. We also, nonetheless, appreciate the fact that the Government has said that it is working on this thing. We can only ask the Prime Minister to tell us how soon the House can have information on those resolutions."
}