Resignation of Speaker
Honourable Ludwig Scotty MP
resigned as Speaker of the Parliament on the morning of Thursday 18
April 2013 shortly after he adjourned the House until the ringing
of the bells, having mentioned to the Parliament the President's
new advice for dissolution of Parliament.
Under Article 34(3)(e) of the
Constitution the resignation of the Speaker became effective as
soon as the letter of resignation was handed to the Clerk of
Parliament.
Under Article 35(4) of the
Constitution, if there is no person holding the office of Speaker,
the powers and functions of the Speaker are to be exercised and
performed by the Deputy Speaker.
Accordingly, on the afternoon of
Thursday 18 April 2013 the Deputy Speaker rang the bells
to continue the sitting of Parliament commenced that morning,
but there was no quorum. The bells were rung again after a further
break but because there was still no quorum, under Standing Order
28, Parliament stands adjourned until Tuesday 23 April 2013 at
10am.
The first item on the Notice Paper
for the sitting on Tuesday will be the election of a Speaker and
the second item will be the referral of the advice of the President
to dissolve Parliament under Article 41(2) of the
Constitution.