Entry Instance

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{
    "id": 901850,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/901850/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 90,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "content": "A Member who, therefore, decides to willfully disregard the provisions of Standing Order No.90 on declaration of interests may, therefore, be in breach of privilege and subject to disciplinary action as envisaged under Section 17(3) of the same Act. It is also noteworthy that the Act also incorporates in the Third Schedule a Code of Conduct applicable to Members of Parliament. As Hon. Members will recall, the Code of Conduct, which each Member in this House swore to abide by, provides in Paragraph 4, that Members shall, in the conduct of their parliamentary duties, act in the public interest and resolve any conflict between their personal interest and the public interest in favour of the public interest. Further, Paragraph 6 of the Code of Conduct further provides as follows: “(1) Members of the House shall— (a) register with the relevant speaker all financial and non-financial interests that may reasonably influence their parliamentary actions; (b) before contributing to debate in the House or its Committees, or communicating with State Officers or other public servants, declare any relevant interest in the context of parliamentary debate or the matter under discussion; and, (c) observe any rules agreed by the House in respect of financial support for Members or the facilities of the House. (2) A relevant interest is an interest that may be seen by a reasonable member of the public to influence the way in which a Member discharges his or her parliamentary duties. (3) Members shall ensure that registered interests are accurate and updated within one month of any change in particulars.” Hon. Members, Standing Order No. 90 does not preclude Members who have procedurally declared their interest in a matter from participating in the debate on the matter in the committee or the House. The only express prohibition to the exercise of a Member’s constitutional role is with regard to voting on a matter in which the Member has a direct pecuniary interest under Article 122 of the Constitution as qualified by Article 116(3) of the Constitution, as I have noted above. The Constitution, the Leadership and Integrity Act, and the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, outline obligations placed on each Member individually. The responsibilities relate to the discipline of each Member and the House, the Committee of Powers and Privileges and other committees. It is expected that the respective chairpersons of committees shall always protect the dignity of the House in committee and the privileges enjoyed by the Members."
}