House stops debate on speakers’ dress
Business Committee of Parliament, which decides what to be discussed in the august House, on Friday stopped a private members’ motion by member of Parliament for Lilongwe City Centre David Bisnowaty (Independent) that the Speaker and deputy speakers should be free to choose whether to wear a wig and a robe in the Chamber.
Making the announcement, Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya told the House that after deliberation of the motion, the Business Committee resolved that it may not be in the interest of the House, and perhaps not in the interest of the nation, for the House to debate the member’s motion when there are many other issues of national importance.
Confirming what the Business Committee had agreed, leader of opposition in Parliament Lazarus Chakwera told the House that considering that this sitting of Parliament is addressing issues that need immediate attention, the proposed motion can be debated later.
In response, leader of People’s Party (PP) in the House, UladiMussa, agreed that this is not an appropriate time to discuss how the Speaker should dress in the Chamber.
“There are more important issues affecting our people and Parliament can utilise that time for national issues not individual issues referring to the Speaker and deputy speakers,” said Mussa.
