Visits to Australian and British Parliaments: update

SELECT COMMITTEE ON MEMBERS ON LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS
14 February 2006
VISITS TO AUSTRALIAN AND BRITISH PARLIAMENTS: UPDATE

Chairperson: Mr F Adams (ANC, Western Cape)

Documents handed Out:
None

SUMMARY
The Committee discussed the arrangements for its study tours to the Australian and British Parliaments. The visit to the Australian Parliament would have to be reviewed, and it was agreed that the Committee would postpone its visit to the British Parliament to 25 February 2007.

MINUTES
The Chair stated that the Committee would not be making any major decisions and that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the international trips.

International visit to Australian Parliament
The Chair stated that the Committee had received an e-mail from the Australian Parliament stating that the Committee’s visit to Australia could not be accommodated due to the fact that the visit would fall outside the sitting dates of that Parliament. The e-mail also stated that the Committee should reconsider the visit, as the Australian Parliament has tried everything possible to accommodate that visit.
 
International visit to British Parliament
He read another e-mail from the British House of Parliament which stated that it was currently in session. It would therefore be difficult for the counterpart committee in the British House to accommodate this Committee during the week requested. The letter however stated that the British House was willing to accept a postponement of the meeting by one week, and proposed the week beginning 25 February 2007.

The Chair stated it had been arranged for Members to leave on 25 February, and would participate in the first meeting on the morning of 26 February 2007. He would however ask the British House whether it was at all possible to shorten that first meeting, so that Members would have adequate time to rest. The delegation would consist of the Committee secretary, Mr A Watson (DA, Mpumalanga), the Chairperson himself, Mr A Moseki (ANC, North West), Mr D Worth (DA, Free State) and Mr A Manyosi (ANC, Eastern Cape). He asked the two Members present at the meeting whether they agreed with the arrangements.

Mr Manyosi agreed.
 
Mr Worth also agreed, but requested a confirmation of the delegation via circular.

The Chair agreed to Mr Worth’s request, and adjourned the meeting.