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{
    "id": 454125,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/454125/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 86,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "standards of holding the Executive to account. The system of requesting answers on very important national matters from Chairpersons of Committees has been tested for about one year now. However, the efficacy of the system is very uncertain. In addition to overloading the committees with work outside their core mandates, the Chairpersons cannot be held accountable for information given or even on commitments given on the Floor of the House. Hon. Members, it is on this basis that the Procedure and House Rules Committee, under my chairmanship, is conducting a comprehensive review of the usage of Statements. Indeed, a task force, acting under my guidance, was given 27th February, 2014 to 1st March, 2014 to look into ways of actualizing provisions of Article 153 of the Constitution. Paragraph (3) of the said Article requires Cabinet Secretaries to attend before committees to answer any questions concerning matters under their competence. On the other hand, Paragraph (4) of the same Article requires Cabinet Secretaries to provide Parliament with full and regular reports concerning matters under their control. It is the view of the Committee that the framers of the Constitution left it to the House to determine how to actualize these two paragraphs of the Constitution. Without pre-empting the work of the Committee I wish to inform hon. Members that the effect of the proposed review of the Standing Orders is to have special sessions of the House to enable Cabinet Secretaries to appear in the House to respond to Members’ queries directly."
}