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{
"id": 391669,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/391669/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Ethuro",
"speaker_title": "October 23, 2013 SENATE DEBATES 24 The Speaker",
"speaker": {
"id": 158,
"legal_name": "Ekwee David Ethuro",
"slug": "ekwee-ethuro"
},
"content": " Order, Senators! This is a simple matter that we need to dispose of. Let me start from the last contributor. Sen. Musila, you said that the Bill is authored by Sen. Mositet, who has signed himself as the Vice-Chairperson. He cannot be a Vice-Chairperson of himself; so, he is the Vice-Chairperson of a Committee and, so, the Bill is a Committee Bill. That is why the Chair has all the powers to move it, to ask for a deferment and all those requests he is making to the House. So, I hope that sorts out that particular issue. On the issue raised by Sen. Orengo on whether, while appreciating the work of the Committees, he can really proceed without giving us the reasons which, to some extent, is what Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale was asking - although Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale also raised another more fundamental matter, in my view, and which is that you can actually proceed with the Second Reading of the Bill. The Committee can work on the Bill while it is still being debated and we have always – in respect of the Committee, which is our Committee – allowed the Third stage duly at the convenience of the Committee. Now, there are two issues here; one, the Standing Orders allow the Committee to remain with the Bill since the First Reading for 30 good days. The First Reading of this Bill was on 15th of October; today is the 23rd of October, so I am a bit sympathetic to the request, as the Chair, for deferment. The only reason I allowed it to be brought to the Floor is because the Chair is also fully aware of the sentiments of the Senate. Last week, I think we debated at length why the Bills are being delayed – was it last week or last Tuesday? I would have been disappointed last week – and I think Tuesday also by the Senate Majority Leader – if Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale did not rise to the occasion as he has done today to inquire from the Chairperson why the Bill was being deferred. So, having satisfied that, at least, I have been faithful to the sentiments of the Senate, and you have heard the Chairperson of the Committee; and given that, really, as latitude has not gone beyond the mandate, the reason why this Bill – and I think the Committee is alive to that fact – needs to come in good time is because the other Bill actually expired by 30th September. So, all of us have a duty to ensure that there is no lacuna in law. So, under the circumstances, I have allowed the Committee to defer this Bill and it will appear on the Order Paper on Tuesday for the Second Reading; and we will not entertain more deferments. The Committee is also aware that because it is their own Motion, they need to make sure that this law comes into force immediately. So, all parties should work very quickly to ensure that this matter is concluded soonest. So, for the debate, it will be on Tuesday next week. Thank you. Yes, Sen. Orengo?"
}