0.1 Petitions
0.2 Questions which anticipate vocal or written answers
Any member can question matters concerning the subject area of any minister. These questions may need either verbal or written answers. Explaining a question should not become an opportunity for a debate. The questions are handed over to the Council Secretary and it will be forwarded to the relevant minister by him. The agenda of each Council meeting should not contain more than 15 questions. In the name of any one member, there should not be more than 03 questions in the agenda of one day.
When there is a necessity for an explanation to a reply given the member who asked the question or any other member can ask not more than 03 questions.
On any day when a meeting is held not more than half an hour should be devoted to questions.
0.3 Limitations to asking questions
A single question should not exceed 150 words and it should be confined to one subject only. The wording of a question should not contain arguments, assumptions, invested accusations, or any insulting expression. A question that deals with a matter that is sub judice or is to be adjudged by a judiciary is not to be included in a question. Questions should not be asked regarding the character or conduct of a person but only about the official status of his work. No questions can be asked about the conduct of the President, a Governor, a Judge or a Member of Parliament.
In case the member who has made the query were absent any other member who has been authorized by the former can ask the question.
At adjournment a member can raise a question on a matter of public importance such a question must be handed over in duplicate to the council Secretary before 10.00 a.m. on the said date.
0.4 Condolences
0.6 Personal Explanations
0.7 Emergency proposals for privilege matters
0.8 Charter Creation
The copies of the bill should be submitted to the Secretary of the Council along with the certificate as prescribed in council regulation 37.
The Secretary of the Council presents it to the Chairman who in turn should decide whether the bill is in order and confirms to the relevant laws and regulations. If it is in order the bill will be included in the agenda.
| 01. | First reading |
|
When the number of the relevant item in the agenda is mentioned, the relevant Minister or any other Minister on his behalf will read out the name of the bill and state that such a bill is to be presented. Then the Secretary will read the preface to the bill. This is the first reading of a bill.
|
|
| 02. | Second reading |
| The second reading of a bill takes place one full week after the first reading.
At the second reading there can be a debate about it in the House. It should only relate to principles relating to the bill. At the conclusion of the second reading of the bill is passed with or without a division the House will be converted to a committee for the purpose of discussion the bill. The Leader of the House or a Minister can propose that the Council be converted to a full committee’. A proposal for such an amendment need not be seconded. After considering all the sections of the bill in this way, the Committee reverts to its original status of a Council. |
|
| 03. | Third Reading |
| The third reading has to be proposed by a Minister and at this stage amendments cannot be introduced.
Once the bill is passed with or without a division the Chairman will duly declare it as a lawful charter. Subsequently the charter will be send up to the Governor and once his approval is received, the relevant Minister will gazette it in the Government gazette to say that it will be effective from the day that it was approved by the Governor. |
