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{
    "id": 220929,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/220929/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 185,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Deputy Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I wish to give the following Communication from the Chair. Hon. Members, as you may be aware, it has been the practice of the National Assembly to review its Standing Orders at the end of every Parliament. As such, by the end of this final Session, Parliament is expected to examine its Standing Orders with a view to reviewing areas that it may deem fit for the benefit of the successive Parliament. Hon. Members are aware that the Eighth Parliament did not review the Standing Orders, as the country was expecting comprehensive review of the Constitution, which would, invariably, have had direct implications on the Standing Orders. The above notwithstanding, in the Eighth Parliament and even in this Ninth Parliament, we have relentlessly raised legitimate concerns on shortfalls in our rules of procedure. For the information of hon. Members, our Standing Orders were last reviewed comprehensively in 1997. It is on this backdrop that the Standing Orders Committee invited, received and considered memoranda from Committees of this House, individual hon. Members, the civil society and organised groups and other interested parties on areas that need to be addressed in our Standing Orders. Towards this end, a sub-Committee under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Speaker has since compiled a draft amendments to the Standing Orders in the form of Seventh Draft. The draft incorporates the various views received by the sub-Committee and incorporates applications and practices in other Parliaments, particularly those in the Commonwealth. This draft will be ready for distribution to hon. Members as from Wednesday, next week. The Standing Orders being the basic rules of procedure are of vital significance to every House as they govern the way Parliament executes it legislative, representative oversight and the deliberative roles. It is, therefore, imperative that every hon. Member participates in their formulation or review. In this regard, all hon. Members are kindly invited to a workshop to consider the Draft Standing Orders. The one-day workshop shall be held on Friday, 25th May, 2007, at the Safari Park Hotel, beginning at 8.30 a.m. Hon. Members are requested to, please, attend this workshop and be punctual. Thank you, hon. Members! 1448 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES May 17, 2007 Next Order!"
}