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{
    "id": 617503,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/617503/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 110,
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    "content": "(a) (b) and (c) are very clear that the Speaker, the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders are Members. Really, we are focusing not on those three. We are focusing on others under Standing Order No. 176 (1) (d). The Motion should be phrased in a manner that we are saying, pursuant to paragraph (d), we are now approving those nine other Members and they are as follows. Mr. Speaker, Sir, six of the Members apart from the big three, the other three are really there by virtue of their positions either as Chief Whip, Deputy Majority Leader and so on. They are there by virtue of their positions and we understand that fully. Those who are just there and they do not have a position apart from being Senators in this House, as the Senate Majority Leader stated, we are now forming a practice - I am a bit worried - whereby once you are just a Senator not holding any office, you are in that category and you become a Member of this Committee during the first year, you now become a Member automatically for the rest of the five years. This will turn this Committee, not to a Sessional one but in effect and de facto, into a Standing Committee of the House. Mr. Speaker, Sir, for future, I agree that for those who are Members by virtue of just being Senators not holding any position, may be, there should be change of that after two years. We should have some new blood after two years also going there. But as far as this is concerned for today, I support this Motion but take that into the future so that we do not have the practice that makes them the Standing Committee of the House, and coming here becomes just a mere formality. There has to be meaning in coming here. I support."
}