PRESS STATEMENT

The Speaker Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni makes the following statement:

“Pursuant to Standing Order 124, the Business Committee determines the business for each sitting day. It should be noted that whilst determining the business of the day, the Business Committee follows the guidelines/requirements laid down in the Standing Orders. Inter alia, these are with respect to questions and motions.

Standing Orders 41 to 45 contain the provisions for questions; Standing Orders 46 to 51 contain the provisions for motions, and Standing Order 37 contains the rules for the presentation of petitions.

The Business Committee is a bi-partisan committee where members have the opportunity to discuss and seek further clarification on the items proposed for the Order paper.  The Committee operates on the principle of unanimity or near-unanimity, being agreement reached by members who represent the overwhelming majority of members of Parliament.

Deliberations by the Business Committee ensure that all business to be deliberated in the House are in order and that they comply with the guidelines/requirements as set out in the respective provisions of the Standing Orders.

At the end of the day, Parliament is governed by standing orders and rules for the order and conduct of business and proceedings and for the way in which its powers, privileges and immunities may be exercised and upheld.”