Madam Deputy Speaker, I move the draft resolution printed in my name on the Order Paper, as follows:
That the House resolves to implement the provisions in the Rules for First Reading debates on Bills introduced in the Assembly, except money Bills, in accordance with the following guidelines and notwithstanding any Rules to the contrary, and, that the guidelines be referred to the National Assembly Rules Committee with a view to adjusting the Rules, if necessary: (1) A First Reading debate may be conducted on Bills introduced in the Assembly.
(2) There shall be no speakers' list for a First Reading debate.
(3) The Member in charge of a Bill, be it a Minister, a Member or a representative of a portfolio committee, must be allocated fifteen minutes to make an introductory speech on the background to, reasons for and objects of the Bill, and to reply to the debate.
(4) In the case of a Bill introduced by the Executive, a Deputy Minister may participate in the First Reading debate on behalf of a Minister.
(5) Members may speak on the Bill for no longer than three minutes each.
(6) With the exception of the member in charge of the Bill, or a Deputy Minister participating on behalf of the Minister, a member granted an opportunity to speak will not be given a second opportunity in the same debate.
7) Members intending to participate in the debate must press the "to speak" button on their desks. 8) Decisions regarding the scheduling of First Reading debates are taken by the Programme Committee.
9) If a Bill is introduced in the Assembly during a non-plenary period, it may be scheduled for a First Reading debate as soon as possible upon the resumption of plenaries.
10) Once the speeches have been made, a Bill is regarded as having been read a first time.
11) No amendment to a Bill is allowed on its First Reading and no decisions will be taken by the House after a First Reading debate.
Agreed to.