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{
    "id": 361500,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/361500/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 158,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Speaker, suppose every day we asked for statements from Chairs, how would the Executive be free to work other than just dealing with parliamentary issues? So that we have a better organized country, we need not impede the work of the Executive. I will be seeking your ruling; I want to say that I am not sure, looking at how the new dispensation is treating us, having Ministers away from Parliament was a good idea. I am not sure. I think going into the future we may need to do it differently. Hon. Speaker, most importantly, in your ruling, I want you to address one fundamental issue: The Leader of Majority Party has been making these statements on behalf of Government. I raised this issue here about three weeks ago, and I thought you rightly said there is no Government in this House. In fact, the Standing Orders, and even the Constitution, talk about Leader of Majority Party and Leader of Minority Party. So, a report like the one which has just been tabled by the Leader of Majority Party is one which comes to the office of the Clerk, and is passed to whichever person is available, just for onward transmission; it cannot be for either of them to issue a statement on behalf of Government. I think if we do not do this, we will not be doing right as per the Constitution. I want to say that it is important that this Parliament realizes that in the new dispensation, we are beginning from zero. If we set a wrong precedent that is what this country shall live by going into the future. Therefore, hon. Speaker, I want you to do this for the sake of order. Lastly, while I am at it, if I am allowed, I will seek to engage one of the new committees on a matter that I want probed. I do not want a statement but I would want a report tabled in the Floor of the House. I seek your guidance, if you allow me."
}