104

Article 104 1. The National Assembly shall, as soon as is practicable after the beginning of each session of the Assembly, appoint from among its members standing committees and other committees necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions and, without prejudice to the foregoing, the National Assembly shall appoint the following standing committees - a. a Finance and Public Accounts Committee; and b. a Standing Order Committee. 2. The composition of a standing or other committee shall, as far as is practicable, reflect the strength of the political parties and independent members in the Assembly but shall otherwise be regulated by the Standing Orders. 3. For the purposes of effectively performing its functions a standing or other committee may summon any person the committee believes may assist the committee in the performance of its functions and the committee shall have the powers, rights and privileges of the Supreme Court for - a. enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath, affirmation or otherwise; b. compelling the production of documents; and c. issuing a commission or request to examine a witness abroad. 4. A debate in the National Assembly may only be initiated in respect of a report or other matter which falls within the competence of a standing or other committee by a member of the standing or other committee.