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{
    "id": 70417,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/70417/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 417,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Deputy Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Order! Order! The Chair has given you a leeway, notwithstanding the fact that you are a Minister in the same Government and the fact that Section 17 of the old Constitution which is still in force, because the Executive aspects of that are partly still in force, does indicate inter alia, “ there shall be a Cabinet consisting of the President, Vice-President and other Ministers. The functions of the Cabinet shall be to aid and advise the President in the Government. The Cabinet shall be collectively responsible to the National Assembly for all things done by or under the authority of the President, Vice-President or any other Minister in the execution of this office.” We do understand, of course, that the arrangement of the Executive has changed and the Prime Minister is there, but nonetheless, this is still in force. This means that it is only because you are the aggrieved person that you were given an opportunity to interrogate your own Government which you are a member of, but under normal practice, it should not be allowed. The Government issues should be sorted out within the Government itself. It is going to be one time off and in future, the Chair will take a very firm position on that. But nonetheless, I also want to state the National Assembly Powers and Privileges Act, which is very explicit. As far as immunity is concerned, it says: “No civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted against any member for words spoken before, or written in a report to, the Assembly or a Committee, or by reason of any matter or thing brought by him therein by petition, Bill, resolution, Motion or otherwise.” That clearly excludes any activity of a Member of Parliament outside Parliament and the Parliamentary business. This means that you have got immunity from legal proceedings, but only to the extent of what you have done in the precincts of Parliament."
}