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{
    "id": 287344,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/287344/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 168,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dr. Nuh",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 114,
        "legal_name": "Nuh Nassir Abdi",
        "slug": "nuh-abdi"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have said that I raised a weighty issue here yesterday which was also raised this morning by Mr. Mbadi and Dr. Khalwale. The issue affects the order in which Ministers are supposed to respond to Questions filed by the Back Bench. I was saying I filed this Question on 26th August, 2011. I think it is close to a year now and the answer which has been supplied to me, in fact, in this Chamber just a few minutes ago was signed by the Minister concerned on 22nd May, 2012, which was yesterday. The Standing Orders as read yesterday, and I want to repeat for the benefit of the Prime Minister and maybe if the Leader of Government Business is around, Standing Order No.42(5) says:- “When the Speaker directs that a Question is in order, the Clerk shall as soon as possible forward the Question to the Minister to whom it is directed and the Minister shall, within five days of receipt of the Question, submit a written reply to the Clerk.” In terms of Questions which are supposed to be orally answered Standing Order No.42(8) says:- “Upon receiving a Question for oral reply, the Minister shall within the period specified in paragraph (5), submit to the Clerk, fifteen copies of the reply and shall be required to appear in the House to reply on the designated day.” I am lost as to how we are supposed to treat, as a House, Question Time. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, when Members of Parliament file Questions, it is to seek the necessary action and it is pressing for action as stated in Standing Order No. 41(2). The essence of us asking Questions is lost if the Executive appears to answer Questions only when they appear on the Order Paper. This Question was not listed on the Order Paper because of the enormous number of Questions which are filed by hon. Members, which are also seeking for action. If the Executive Bench has to wait until the Question appears on the Order Paper for them to respond, that is unfair. We are supposed to interrogate the Questions but we are not given ample time to go and do a background search as to what actions the Government has taken. In fact, we are supplied with answers in the Chamber. The Government has continued acting in contempt of this House. Thank you."
}