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{
    "id": 732341,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/732341/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 115,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Members, having been satisfied that the Petition met the requirements of the relevant provisions of the Constitution; the Petitions to Parliament (Procedure) Act and the Standing Order No.230, on 16th February 2017, I committed the Petition to the Departmental Committee on Finance, Planning and Trade for investigation and reporting to the House. It is important to note that once advised by the Clerk that a petition meets the requirements of the relevant provisions of the law and is worth investigating, the Speaker is obligated to convey it to the House and refer it to relevant Committee. The law does not require the Speaker to seek the views of courts or aggrieved party or parties, or, indeed, the petitioner in determining whether or not a petition should be admitted for consideration. Doing so would in fact amount to investigating the grounds of the petition, which is the exclusive function of the relevant Committee of the House and the tribunal if it gets to that stage. This is clear from a plain reading of the Constitution, the Petitions to Parliament (Procedure) Act (No.22 0f 2012) and our Standing Orders. Hon. Members, moving on, upon conveying the Petition, the Committee subsequently sought, and was granted an extension of the period within which they should have submitted the report to the National Assembly by 21 days, with effect from 2nd March 2017. Thus, according to the said House resolution, the Committee is required to submit its report to the House on or before Thursday, 23rd March 2017. The concern now is a determination whether it was proper or allowable for the High Court to issue a conservatory order stopping the consideration of the Petition by the Committee until the Omtatah case is heard and determined. Hon. Members, the conservatory orders were, in fact, from an examination of the records, issued by the court suo motu, without any person moving the court to do so, without application The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}