00:00While two motions concerning the new state of emergency were not debated in the House of Representatives on Friday, debate
00:06continued on a motion first raised on January 23rd by Lavantel West MP Karim Marcel on behalf of the opposition.
00:14When Energy Minister Dr. Rudal Munilal joined the debate, he referred to the standing orders.
00:19Mr. Speaker, given the frivolous, vectatious, ill-advised wording and intent of this motion, I believe it should be defeated
00:33forthwith.
00:34And Mr. Speaker, in those circumstances, in accordance with standing order 52-1, I beg to move that the question
00:41be now put. I thank you.
00:43House Speaker Jagdao Singh then called on Opposition MP Keith Scotland to hear his submission on that standing order.
00:50Mr. Speaker, it is my respectful submission that to accede to this request abuses my rights as to speak on
01:02a private member's motion day, which today has been specifically allocated for.
01:11I've read these standing orders. There are two sets of standing orders which provide for closure of a debate.
01:19There is standing order 46-2, which provides that any minister may move an application to close a debate which
01:31is critical of the government.
01:32That standing order is confined to a minister moving the House.
01:39Speaker Singh said standing order 52 is a matter of general application. As he said, the jurisdiction of the Speaker
01:45is a very narrowly circumscribed jurisdiction.
01:48The way the standing orders are constructed is that once you don't meet either an abuse or a suppression of
01:58the minority, the question has to be put.
02:00In my respectful view, the evidence does not arise to an abuse of the rules, and neither is it an
02:10infringement on the rights of the minority.
02:12As the Speaker is to this ruling, there were loud objections from the opposition.
02:16Member, please resume your seat. Member, resume your seat.
02:21Member, remain your seat.
02:22Member, maize your seat.
02:23Member, pedir, ground, member, ruimte zatist the140 you're behind.
02:26Member, .
02:26Member, maize your seat.
02:33Member, maize, maize.
02:56There was a vote to the end of the debate on the motion, as the opposition walked out.
03:02Members, I propose to put the question.
03:05Honourable Members, the question is, be it resolved that this Honourable House take note of the socio-economic impact of
03:13increased unemployment in communities arising from mass stimulation and renewal of contracts, and of the resulting breakdown in community and
03:23social life.
03:23And be it further resolved that this Government urgently respond to this developing socio-economic crisis by immediately providing adequate
03:32and meaningful social relief measures.
03:34All in favour, say aye. Any against? The no's have it.
03:41The House was then adjourned to a date to be fixed.
03:43June Brown, TV6 News.
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