DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE SECOND SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 14th March, 2013

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEES

Mr Speaker: I wish to inform the House that, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 131, the Standing Orders Committee has made changes to the composition of the following Committees, following the appointments of Hon. R. Siamunene, MP; Hon. G. Namulambe, MP; Hon. C. Miyutu, MP; and Hon. P. Njeulu, MP to deputy ministerial positions. The changes are as follows:

    Committee on Youth and Sport
 
Hon. O. C. Mulomba, MP, has been appointed to replace Hon. R. Siamunene, MP.

    Committee on Local Governance, Housing and Chiefs Affairs

Hon. G. Lubinda, MP, has been appointed to replace Hon. Namulambe, MP.

    Committee on Reforms and Modernisation

Hon. I. K. Banda, MP, has been appointed to replace Hon. G. Namulambe, MP.

    Committee on Agriculture

Hon. V. M. Mooya, MP, has been appointed to replace Hon. P. Njeulu, MP.

Committee on legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Gender Matters and Child Affairs

Hon. K. K. Hamudulu, MP, has been appointed to replace Hon. C. Miyutu, MP.

Thank you. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

FUNCTIONS OF THE MINISTRY OF CHIEFS AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS

The Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (Professor Luo): Mr Speaker, one of the functions of the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs is to advocate for development in chiefdoms throughout Zambia, with chiefs at the centre of analysis. 

In addition, the ministry has been tasked to administer and promote chiefs’ affairs, traditional governance systems and preserve Zambia’s heritage and culture for sustainable development and national identity. The Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, like any other ministry, also has to attend to cross-cutting issues that are critical to development such as alcohol and substance abuse; human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV)/ acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS), with emphasis on total prevention and elimination of mother-to-child transmission; promoting environmental protection; prevention of early child marriages; water and sanitation; and and poverty reduction, with emphasis on livelihood and nutrition, in particular. 

Therefore, the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs recognises that these cross-cutting issues do hinder development and can affect the delivery of its mandate of spearheading rural development. Amongst the cross-cutting issues that the ministry wants to address, as affecting overall human development, in particular, is early child marriage. In view of this, my ministry has decided to put a three-year plan to campaign against early child marriages which contribute to a series of negative consequences for both girls and boys. 

Mr Speaker, apart from this act being a violation of human rights, in general, and for boys and girls, in particular, it has profound physical, intellectual, psychological and emotional impacts. Early child marriage is a physical, sexual and emotional form of gender-based violence. It has serious sexual and reproductive health consequences. Also, children’s overall human development tends to be affected as they drop out of school at a tender age.

Sir, the other effects of early child marriage for us to consider are as follows: 

it is child labour. Children in early marriages find themselves in relationships of multiple sex partners and this may expose them to sexually transmitted infections, some of which have serious consequences such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and the Papilloma virus, which causes cervical cancers;

(a)    it denies children their basic right to education and even hinders them from enjoying their teenage hood;

(b)    it causes children to drop out of school early. This tends to affect their entire human development; 

(c)    in the majority of cases, these marriages tend to be abusive as the child is not ready for marriage and can be a recipe for alcohol and substance abuse; and 
(d)    it is a recipe for poverty, poor livelihood, and, subsequently, poor nutrition.  

Mr Speaker, although available data indicates that early child marriages affect both girls and boys, more emphasis will be placed on the  girl-child as  this is  an issue  that affects more girls than boys. Early child marriage has been identified as a vice which is like an octopus. It negatively impacts and is linked to activities in communities that are likely to hinder development throughout Zambia. As I said earlier, it is a source of gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health rights abuses and negative human development. In order to achieve the desired results, chiefs have been identified as critical in this campaign and will be our change agents. It is for this reason that they will provide the leadership in the whole campaign. 

One may argue that there are already existing programmes being supported by various Government institutions, civil society, church organisations and development partners in the rural areas to combat early child marriage and mitigate its effects in chiefdoms, however, the known fact is that most of the interventions that have been carried out, so far, are disjointed and unco-ordinated and, thus, the impact has been minimal. It is for this reason that, as a ministry, we believe that an expanded community enhancement response that is well co-ordinated will yield better benefit to rural Zambia, which is severely affected by underdevelopment.

Sir, although early child marriage is a major problem, it is not easy to resolve. Therefore, chiefs have been identified as an important resource that can contribute to resolving it through the provision of leadership. In their advocacy for change, the chiefs voices can be respected and if early child marriage is anchored on culture, customs and traditional practices, which norms the chiefs are the custodians of, they are, therefore, the best suited change agents to advocate for this change. They will initiate the desired change by advocating for discarding or changing of these norms that promote early child marriages. Their royal highnesses, being key stakeholders, will provide leadership in their chiefdoms by championing the fight against early child marriage.

The following are the elements of this campaign:

(a)    launch a nationwide campaign against early child marriages in Zambia by mobilising chiefs and other traditional leaders to spearhead the campaign to eliminate and mitigate against early child marriages. This will be done in partnership with co-operating partners, civil society, local communities, political and other opinion leaders at all levels;

(b)    raise awareness on the negative impact that early child marriages have on Zambia’s development agenda;

(c)    reduce, in the short-term, and eliminate, in the long-term, early child marriages;

(d)    mitigate against the effects of early child marriages in cases where children are already married; and

(e)    develop and implement human developmental activities such as capacity building and entrepreneurial programmes that would mitigate the effects of early child marriage.

Modus Operandi 

 Before the actual campaign starts, a situation analysis will be done to provide evidence as a basis for the campaign. Workshops as well as interactive sessions will be conducted for the chiefs and the media throughout Zambia. The outcome of these sessions will be the empowering of chiefs, media and opinion leaders in the communities with the knowledge on the dangers of early child marriages and why certain cultures and traditional beliefs need to be discarded or changed. Furthermore, communication experts will design appropriate messages targeting parents, opinion leaders and the children themselves.

This campaign is expected to last for three years but, at the end of one year, we intend to host a conference to share lessons learnt. For value addition, we shall do a resource mapping, an analysis of the situation on the ground, and identify the necessary strategies and activities to mitigate the effects of early child marriages.

Mr Speaker, as regards partnerships, the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs has set, as its target, to spearhead and co-ordinate a campaign to combat early child marriages and mitigate their effects throughout the country with the involvement of other Government ministries such as the ministries of Gender and Child Development, Community Development, Mother and Child Health, Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, Justice, Home Affairs and Health. Other than chiefs, the ministry will also partner with members of the community, opinion leaders, religious leaders, civil society and development partners and other relevant institutions working and researching on early child marriages, for example, the University of Zambia. We are also privileged that the Graca Machel Trust, from South Africa, will be partnering with Zambia on this particular campaign. Follow-up activities, in terms of further campaign and the mitigation against early child marriages, will also be supported by co-operating partners and the Graca Machel Trust.

Sir, on the issue of timeframe, the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs has developed a concept paper after wide consultations with key stakeholders. As I said earlier, the campaign will last three years, but the period could be longer than that. The national launch will take place on 13th April, 2013, and will be graced by the First Lady, Dr Christine Kaseba Sata, in a chiefdom that we have identified to have the highest prevalence rates of early child marriages. Also, at this launch, we expect Mrs Graca Machel and the Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), New York, to be present. After this, we will have mini launches around the country in all the provinces, except for the one in which the national launch will be done, and, again, the choice will be based on the chiefdom that has the highest prevalence rate of child marriages in a province. I shall expect support of these mini launches by my sister ministries and, hopefully, the hon. Members of Parliament that represent constituencies in the provinces where these launches will be held. We expect all of you to be present at these launches to support this novel idea.

Mr Speaker, as a follow-up to these launches, the awareness, advocacy and capacity building activities and a regional conference will continue as per our action plan of three years.

Mr Speaker, as regards the role of parliamentarians, considering that they are law-makers, most of whom are from rural constituencies, my humble request to the hon. Members of Parliament is to join in the campaign and add their voices in condemning early child marriages. Further, I urge them to objectively support Bills that will be brought to Parliament with the aim to putting up corrective measures in bringing to end early child marriages in Zambia. For example, the age at which you start driving is sixteen and you cease to be a child then. For the purpose of voting, the age one needs to attain is eighteen. However, in the villages, one ceases to be a child from the onset of one’s menstruation cycle. Therefore, we need to harmonise the age at which one ceases to be considered a child.

Mr Speaker, I want to end by encouraging all my colleagues to support this campaign and to be present at all the launches, all the training programmes and the awareness and advocacy activities that we shall be doing over the next three years.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the statement issued by the hon. Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

ACCESS TO RURAL SCHOOLS

523. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication what plans the Government had for developing good road networks in rural areas in order to make rural schools accessible.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr M. H. Malama): Mr Speaker, the ministry, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), has allocated over KR75 million to various feeder roads in the country in the 2013 Road Sector Annual Work Plan (RSAWP). These roads lead to various agricultural areas and communities with facilities like schools and hospitals. The agency is also undertaking the Link Zambia 8,000 Road Network Project. Through these projects, a number of rural schools will be made accessible.

I thank you, Sir.
PUPPY SELLING ON THE STREETS OF LUSAKA

524. Mr Hamusonde asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing why street vendors were allowed to sell puppies on some streets of Lusaka.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr N. Banda): Mr Speaker, the ministry …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let us have order on the right, please.

Mr N. Banda: … has not allowed street vendors to sell puppies on the streets of Lusaka or anywhere in the country. Those who are doing that are doing so illegally because it is against the provisions of the Public Health Act. To this effect, the ministry will issue a circular to all councils to stop the practice of selling puppies as well as meat and meat products on the streets because other than being a public health hazard, it is also illegal.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government and Housing has been controlling the number of stray dogs in the country, and yet the number keeps rising, especially in cities like Livingstone and Lusaka. Why is that the case?

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Tembo): Mr Speaker, since this issue has now been brought to our attention, we will remind our councils to get rid of those dogs because it is an offence to let dogs loiter around towns.

I thank you, Sir.

SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES MEDICAL CENTRES

527. Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi) asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    when the ministry would deploy medical staff to the medical centres in the S.O.S Children’s Villages across the country; and

(b)    when the ministry would begin supplying the medical centres with essential drugs.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Chikusu): Mr Speaker, the SOS Children’s Villages is an international non-governmental child welfare organisation, whose main objective is to provide long-term family care to children in need, regardless of race, colour, creed or religious affiliation. The SOS Children’s Village Zambia Trust is an affiliate of SOS Kinderdoff International, which is an umbrella body of all SOS Children’s Villages worldwide. The SOS Children’s Village Zambia Trust is governed by a board of trustees which gives guidance and policy direction to a team of management and co-workers implementing programmes. It is not under the Ministry of Health. Therefore, the ministry is unable to deploy medical staff there. However, the children can visit any nearest Government facility.

Sir, as indicated earlier, the SOS Children’s Village is an international non-governmental child welfare organisation. As such, medical staff and essential drugs for the medical centres there are not provided for by the Government. However, it is encouraged to work closely with the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, as are other non-governmental child welfare organisations operating in the country, to ensure that the essential drugs that the Government provides are accessed by children under their care in a more co-ordinated and sustainable manner.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, I agree that the children’s village is a non-governmental organisation (NGO). However, these NGOs complement the Government’s efforts and, in some instances, do what the Government needs to be doing. So, is it possible that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) can be entered into so that these NGOs can access subsidised drugs which would, in turn, be provided to these children?

Dr Chikusu: Mr Speaker, the job that these NGOs are doing is, indeed, appreciated by all of us. As a matter of fact, there is an MoU between the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), which co-ordinates activities between institutions similar to the S.O.S Children’s Villages, and the Government. So, NGOs like S.O.S Children’s Villages can affiliate with CHAZ for them to access such facilities. 

I thank you, Sir.
NALIKWANDA CONSTITUENCY AMBULANCE

528. Professor Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda) asked the Minister of Health why the ambulance that services Nalikwanda Parliamentary Constituency was not stationed in the constituency.

Dr Chikusu: Mr Speaker, the current Government policy is that ambulances are attached to the district hospital that services the catchment area. The Government does not distribute ambulances to constituencies. In addition, the utility vehicle that services Nalikwanda Parliamentary Constituency as an ambulance is stationed at Mongu District Health Office (MDHO). Furthermore, the Government is aware of the shortage of ambulance services in the nation as a whole, and appreciates the fact that functioning ambulance services increase access to health services for the people of Zambia. To this effect, the Government has taken measures to avert the shortage of ambulance services in all the districts by procuring 207 ambulances which will be distributed to all districts in the country.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister, then, explain why the vehicle in question bears the words ‘Nalikwanda Constituency Ambulance’.

Dr Chikusu: Mr Speaker, the wording on the vehicle bears no relevance to the actual activities of the ambulance. Ambulances are not attached to constituencies. We distribute them among districts. The hon. Member should know that this vehicle services all the other health centres in the district. 

Mr Speaker, on a different note, the name ‘Lungwangwa,’ actually, means ‘floods.’ I do not know why the hon. Member has not even mentioned that. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Laughter

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, …

Professor Lungwangwa: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, this name, ‘Lungwangwa,’ is a very important one …

Laughter

Professor Lungwangwa: … in the cultural fabric of our Republic. It actually means ‘floods,’ and the hon. Deputy Minister is right. However, is he in order not to expand a little further on the genesis of this name and its import in the cultural fabric of our nation?

Laughter 

Mr Speaker: Well, he is certainly not and I think that, in due course, he should issue a ministerial statement to that effect.

Laughter

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, since the hon. Minister has indicated that the name on the ambulance in question does not mean it is only for that constituency, what is he going to do about it? Is he going to have the inscription on the vehicle deleted so that it does not continue misleading the people of Nalikwanda?

Dr Chikusu: Mr Speaker, I think that we have made it clear that this ambulance is for the district and, so far, we have not had any complaints about the name it carries being misleading. It is functioning as a district vehicle for ambulance services.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

NAKANYAA POSTAL AGENCY REHABILITATION AND RE-OPENING

529. Professor Lungwangwa asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)    whether the Government had any plans to re-open the Nakanyaa Postal Agency in Nalikwanda Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b)    if so, when rehabilitation works on the building would start.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Colonel Kaunda): Mr Speaker, I will tread carefully to avoid joining the civil war of names.

Laughter

Colonel Kaunda: Mr Speaker, there are no immediate plans to re-open the Nakanyaa Postal Agency in Nalikwanda Parliamentary Constituency. However, the Government is reviewing the developmental changes that are currently going on in Nakanyaa area which, among others, include the construction of a new boarding school. As demand for postal services increases in the area, the Government will open the postal agency as quickly as possible. The Government is in the process of building post offices throughout the country and Nakanyaa Postal Agency is part of the process.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.{mospagebreak}

SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IN MUCHINGA CONSTITUENCY

530. Mr Kunda (Muchinga) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education when construction of the following high schools in Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency would be completed:

(a)    Chibale;
(b)    Kanona; and
(c)    Mailo.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Professor Willombe): Mr Speaker, the pace of construction has been slow, but the ministry has addressed this issue. We expect speedy progress towards completing these projects by around June, 2013. We appreciate the hon. Member of Parliament’s interest in this matter.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kunda: Mr Speaker, these schools are dear to me, just like the hon. Minister has rightly put it, because their construction was initiated by my late father.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda: He made it very clear that an educated future depends on the education now, and that is why I care so much about these schools. 

Sir, is the hon. Minister aware that the contractors assigned to carry out these projects are getting materials like blocks from Lusaka, instead of just making them there so that work can proceed faster?

Professor Willombe: Mr Speaker, we are not aware of that. However, even if we were, we do not interfere once a contract has been given. We give the contractor a timeframe within which to finish a project.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

DESK DISTRIBUTION IN MWINILUNGA

531. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)    how many desks had been delivered by the Government to Mwinilunga Parliamentary Constituency in 2011 and 2012, year by year; and

(b)    which schools had benefited.

Professor Willombe: Mr Speaker, in April, 2011, Mwinilunga Constituency received 545 double-seater desks. In September, 2012, the constituency received 3,073 desks and the distribution was as follows:

Type of schools    No. of desks

    Secondary schools     328

Primary schools    1,940

Community schools    805

Total    3,073

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Katuka: Mr Speaker, the 2012/2013 Infrastructure Development Plan had allocated 4,996 desks. May I know how many have been delivered out of the desks allocated.

Professor Willombe: Mr Speaker, I did not get the question clearly.

Mr Speaker: Understandably so. Could the hon. Member for Mwinilunga repeat the question and be a little bit louder.

Mr Katuka: Mr Speaker, in the 2012/2013 Infrastructure Development Plan, there were 4,996 desks allocated to Mwinilunga Constituency. May I know how many of these have been delivered. 

Mr Speaker: How many have been delivered out of the 4,996 desks allocated?

The Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Dr Phiri): Mr Speaker, the question raised by Hon. Katuka was very specific. He wanted to know how many desks were delivered in 2011/2012 and the reply that the hon. Deputy Minister gave is very factual. This was verified by the Provincial Education Officer who is in Lusaka and was in my office around 0900 hours today. She was quite comfortable with the state of sitting arrangements in schools, but that does not mean that we are not going to deliver more desks. The question was about the delivery of 4,000 desks in 2013 and we should verify this before we can give you a specific answer. The answer will be provided.

Thank you, Sir.

Mr Sianga (Sesheke): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the desks are just piled up at the district education office because of lack of transport to deliver them to schools for which they are intended?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, thank you very much for that information. We are now aware.

Thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, now that the hon. Minister is aware about the desks that are piled up at the district education office, what is he going to do about it so that the desks are used?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, the ministry is aware that there are transport problems in the districts. Therefore, contingency measures are being taken wherever the desks are marooned. That, I guarantee you.

Thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

SOLAR ENERGY PROVISION TO RURAL HEALTH CENTRES

532. Mr Katuka asked the Minister of Health when the Government plans to provide solar energy to the following rural health centres in Mwinilunga Parliamentary Constituency:

    (a)    Minyanya;
    (b)    Chisengi Sengi; and
    (c)    Kazozu.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Mr Mulenga): Mr Speaker, Minyanya Health Centre was built by the Community and Peace Corps and completed in 2012. This year, the health centre will be expanded with the assistance of the World Vision. The expansion project of the health centre will include procurement of basic equipment and solar system.

Mr Speaker, as for Chisengi Sengi and Kazozu Rural health centres, these are expected to be provided with solar systems during the third quarter of this year.

Thank you, Sir.
________________
HOUSE IN COMMITTEE
[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the
Chair]

THE NATIONAL HEALTH RESEARCH BILL, 2013

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 2 – (Interpretation)

The Minister of Health (Dr Kasonde): Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 2, on page 11, in lines 23 to 26, by the deletion of the definition of “therapeutic cloning” and the substitution therefor of the following definition:

“therapeutic cloning” means a procedure for producing tissues or organs from genetically identical cells that originate from undifferentiated stem cells for purposes of repairing or replacing damaged tissues;

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 2, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 12 – (Secretary, Inspectors and other Staff of Authority)

Dr Kasonde: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 12, on page 17:

(a)    in line 10
by the insertion of “(1)” between “12” and the word “The”; and

(b)    after line 13
by the insertion of the following new subsection:

“(2)    The Council shall provide an inspector with a certificate of appointment, in the prescribed form, which shall be prima facie evidence of the inspector’s appointment.”

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 12, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 13 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 14 – (Functions of Board)

Dr Kasonde: Sir, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 14, on page 19:

(a)    in line11, by the insertion immediately after the word “collaborative” of the word “health”;

(b)    in line 12, by the insertion of the word “health” immediately before the word “research”;

(c)    in line 15, by the insertion of the word “health” immediately before the word “research”; and

(d)    in line 18, by the insertion of the word “health” immediately before the word “research proposals”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 14, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 37 – (Consultation about Regulatory Framework)

Dr Kasonde: Sir, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 37, on page 28, in lines 18 and 19 by the deletion of sub-paragraph (i) and the substitution therefor of the following:

“(i)    ‘containing a summary of the provisions of the draft regulatory framework’.”

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 37, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 …

Interruptions

The Chairperson: Order!

There are too many people talking on my right. Can you talk quietly while I do my job.

… 59 and 60 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 61 – (General Penalties for Offences)

Dr Kasonde: Sir, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 61 on page 39, in line 33, by the deletion of the word “confiscated” and substitution therefor of the word “forfeited”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 61, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 62, 63 and 64 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

First and Second Schedules ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.

THE MEDICINES AND ALLIED SUBSTANCES BILL, 2013.

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE - 2 (Interpretation)

Dr Kasonde: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 2, on page 8, in line 5 by the insertion immediately after the word “include” of the word “acaricides,” and a comma.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 2, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 3, 4, 5 and 6 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 7 - (Constitution of Board of Authority)

Dr Kasonde: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 7, on page 14 in line 19 by the insertion immediately before the word ‘community’, of the words “a representative of the Ministry responsible for”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 7, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 8, 9, 10 and 11 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Interruptions

Mr Chairperson: Order!

There is too much noise and loud consultation.

CLAUSE 12 – (Director-General)

Dr Kasonde: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 12, on page 17, in line 1, by the insertion of subsection (5) and the substitution therefor of the following new subsection:

‘(5)    The Board shall appoint a Board Secretary on such terms and conditions
    as it may determine.’

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 12, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 23 – (Suspension or cancellation of certificate of registration)

Dr Kasonde: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 23, on page 21, in lines 25 and 26, by the deletion of the words ‘two years’ immediately after the word ‘after’ and the substitution therefor of the words ‘one year’.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 23, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

_____________
HOUSE RESUMED
[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

THIRD READING

The following Bills were read the third time and passed:

The Higher Education Bill, 2013

The Teaching Profession Bill, 2013

__________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT 

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

________

The House adjourned at 1551 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 17th March, 2013.

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