Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jiko Luveni says the Business Committee is a bipartisan committee where members have the opportunity to discuss and seek clarification on the items proposed for the Order Paper.
Dr. Luveni says the Committee operates on the principle of unanimity or near‑unanimity, being agreement reached by members who represent the overwhelming majority of member in Parliament.
She says pursuant to Standing Order 124, the Business Committee determines the business for each sitting day and it should be noted that whilst determining the business of the day, the Business Committee follows the guidelines/requirements laid down in the Standing Order.
She says 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.
She adds 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.
Meanwhile, the Opposition had claimed that the government through the Parliament Business Committee and Parliament is imposing severe restrictions on the type of questions, motions and petitions that can be tabled by them in parliament.
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