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{
    "id": 32560,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/32560/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 200,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Deputy Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Indeed, Standing Order No.46 says that: “It shall be disorderly conduct for a Member to fail to ask or for a Minister to fail to answer a Question listed on the Order Paper without the leave of the Speaker”. Disorderly conduct is further covered under Standing Order No.97(g) which says that conduct is grossly disorderly if the Member concerned refuses to answer a legitimate question by a Member. Standing Order 97(2) states: “The Speaker or the Chairperson of Committees shall order any Member whose conduct is grossly disorderedly to withdraw immediately from the precincts of the Assembly, either- (a) for the remainder of that day’s sitting; or (b) for a period not exceeding two sitting days, including the day of suspension but if on any occasion the Speaker or the Chairperson deems that his or her powers under this Standing Order are inadequate, the Speaker or the Chairperson may name such a Member or Members, in which event, the procedure prescribed in Standing Order 98 (Member may be suspended after being named) shall be followed”. Standing Order No.98 goes ahead and prescribes even much more punitive measures. The Chair wants to be very categorical that from today henceforth when Members fail to ask a Question, or a Minister fails to answer that Question, the Chair will apply the rules as provided for in the Standing Order to the letter. You understand the consequences of that. The consequences of asking a Minister to be away for two days from executing the business for which that Minister is mandated has very powerful ramifications in any democracy. The tradition in all developed democracies is for that Minister to be dropped by the appointing authority because that is an indictment of the Government itself. The same also goes for members who fail to ask questions. We all know that the reasons for failing to come and answer a Question can be myriad, including the Questioner having been influenced not to ask that Question. That has happened in many democracies, including the United Kingdom."
}