{"id":306112,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/306112/?format=json","text_counter":198,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"“It was agreed that even when the Committee wanted to think differently, the legal opinion of the Attorney-General as the Constitutional Chief Legal Advisor is material to making a decision on the way forward, hence could not be ignored. Even though the Minister for Transport insisted on the tender award being cancelled against the advice of the Attorney-General, the Committee advised that going against the legal opinion of the Attorney-General, who is the Government Chief Legal Advisor is, in itself, unconstitutional under the new constitutional order.” Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the benefit of this House, I want to refer to Article 156 of the new Constitution which is very clear. It states:- “The Attorney-General is the Principal Legal Advisor to the Government; and, (ii) Shall represent the national Government in court or in any other legal proceedings on which the national Government is a party, other than the criminal proceedings. Most important, it says that the Attorney-General shall promote, protect and uphold the rule of law and defend the public interest.” Could the Minister clarify the following? Is he of a better legal position than the person who this House and this nation has bestowed those powers?"}