Time to question PM in draft Standing Orders
Keeping with British Parliamentary practice, a new section called “Questions to be asked from the Prime Minister”, which provides for time allocated on Wednesday, in the first week of sittings every month for half-an-hour, when questions can be asked from the PM, has been included in the draft Standing Orders (SO) of Parliament tabled by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday.
The Speaker tabled in Parliament the final draft of amendments to the SOs of Parliament, to reflect the changes that have taken place in the Legislature in the past two decades, as well as the Code of Conduct (CoC) for MPs.
"Changes to the SO as well as the CoC have been prepared in keeping with international standards and set higher standards for public representatives," the Speaker said.
Changes to the SO reflect the technological developments over the years and provide for the live telecast of Parliament proceedings as well as electronic voting, while it also enhances the Speaker's powers to deal with errant lawmakers.
An MP who makes contact with the Mace or lifts the Mace while it is within the precincts of the House, will be deemed to have committed a “grave disorder”, and will face a suspension of eight weeks, while the Speaker will have the authority to immediately suspend the live telecast or broadcast of proceedings, in case members act in contravention of the SOs.
The amended SOs provide for the setting up of Sectoral Oversight Committees as provided for by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, as well as the setting up of several committees including separate Committees on Ethics and Privileges, Constitutional Affairs, Liaison and Backbencher committee.
The 10-member Ethics and Privileges Committee will be tasked with examining breaches of the rules of conduct and etiquette by MPs, and reporting to Parliament, while the Backbencher committee will be tasked with determining the business to be taken up on days allocated for “Backbencher Business.”
Meanwhile, the CoC, the final draft of which has been prepared with input from all MPs, is intended to assist the exercise, performance and discharge of their powers and duties as MPs.
The CoC requires MPs to disclose sufficient information regarding their business relationships and financial interests including information about close family members. This would increase the public trust in MPs and confidence they will act to advance the public interest rather than private interests.
Under the rules of conduct, the draft says: “MPs shall act in good conscience; respect human rights and intrinsic dignity of all; act as to merit the trust and respect of citizens and community; give effect to the ideals of democratic government, abide by the letter and spirit of the Constitution and uphold the separation of powers and the rule of law; hold themselves accountable for the conduct and duties for which they are responsible and exercise the privileges and discharge the duties of public officers diligently and with civility, dignity, care and honour.”