We have had situations where Committees of Parliament have been unable to conduct public hearings and they have had to rely on the benevolence of development partners. As a result, that situation cannot be allowed to continue. We now want a situation where Parliament is able to carry out all its functions. In this regard, it is imperative that what Parliament has asked for be granted by the Hon. Minister.
I also want to point out that we also had situations where Committees have been unable to meet and they have had to synchronise their Committee sittings with the sittings of Parliament simply because – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: Can we have less noise Hon. Members.
HON. GONESE: Simply because there will be inadequate funding. I am giving this background so that the Hon. Minister can understand where Parliament is coming from.
Coming to the current – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: Hon. Members, can we have order in the House.
HON. GONESE: Coming to the current Budget, I would also want to remind the Hon. Minister to appreciate that the supreme making body of Parliament is the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders. This Committee sat and deliberated – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: Hon. Members, can we have less noise in the House? Hon. Members!
HON. GONESE: I was pointing out that the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders also includes the Leader of Government Business who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. It also includes – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: Hon. Members, can I have order in the House, Hon. Members? I am going to send somebody out right away. Hon. Chinotimba, Hon. Chinotimba! Hon. Mliswa, Hon. Mliswa! It would be very unfortunate if I decide to send you out. I do not enjoy sending somebody out of the House but circumstances can force me to do that. Please can you allow me to enjoy the Chairmanship of the Committee of the Whole House? – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
HON. GONESE: Well spoken Hon. Chairman Sir.
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: Thank you.
HON. GONESE: I was just pointing out that in its collective wisdom, the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders, which includes the Leader of Government Business who is the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs as well as the Minister of Finance and other members of the Executive like the Hon. Minister of Defence and Hon. Minister of Energy, Hon. Gumbo; they are all part and parcel of this collective decision and as such, the Hon. Minister is also part of that collective decision to make a bid of $163 million. However, because of recent events, that amount is actually inadequate if that bid had been submitted this week, it would have been much more than the $163 million and the Hon. Minister must take that into account.
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