2010 budget to be laid before Parliament on November 19

The Budget Estimates and Financial Policy of the Government for the 2010 financial year would be laid before Parliament not later than November 19, Mr. John Akologu Tia, Deputy Majority Leader, has announced. He said the presentation would be followed by a post- budget workshop for leadership, Committee Chairpersons and Ranking Members to ensure a smooth debate on the financial policy of government. Mr.Tia announced this when he presented the business statement of the house for the second week ending November 6, 2009. He hinted that due to limitation of time, members would be compelled to have extended sittings to enable the House expeditiously discharge its business for the meeting. The Deputy Minority Leader said a total of 22 questions would be asked within the week, which would be answered by the Ministers of Interior, Education, Trade and Industry, Water Resources, Works and Housing and Local Government and Rural Development. He said statements, Papers, Bills, Reports, Motions and Resolutions and observations would be duly laid before the House for consideration and urged members to take time to study all the issues in order to contribute meaningfully. Mr. Tia mentioned the Intestate Succession Bill, Property of Spouses Bill as some of the bills that would be laid in the House for consideration, while statements and other reports would accordingly be laid. Meanwhile, a report of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, on the Interpretation Bill also laid the bill in the House for the second time. The Bill would amend and consolidate legislations relating to the operation, construction and the interpretation of enactments and for other related matters in Parliament. The Bill would be focussed on interpretation, enacting clauses, public and private Acts, Application, Aids to construction, Operation of enactments, procedures of courts, Repeals, Application of definitions and delegation.