Thank you, Madam Speaker. The information requested is being compiled. It is quite extensive and is being placed in the Library of the National Assembly.

Okay, thank you, hon. Minister. One question? okay.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the hon. Minister inform the House whether, for the sake of transparency and since we are dealing with Government property, will he take a policy decision to seek Cabinet’s approval and publish all leases given to individuals unlike the previous Government?

In actual fact, the issue is very simple, Madam Speaker. If I understand the question correctly, is there the need to go to Cabinet before each lease is given? I refer to what dictates the powers of the Minister and the Minister of Housing and Land has to comply with the relevant statute, and the relevant statute is the State Lands Act. The State Lands Act says that the hon. Minister of Housing and Land is the Minister that decides who to grant a lease to. The terms and conditions that are provided by the schedule in terms of value, that is not the Minister. However, there are two situations when one has to go to Cabinet and statute imposes that and that is mandatory. It is when there is the need or the request for a reduction of lease for national interest or any special circumstance. Then the Minister of Housing and Land cannot exercise that discretion himself. He does not have that power. He has to go to Cabinet. So, in summary, to give a lease, it is within the sole power of the Minister of Housing and Land. And now, as it is known by one and all – and hopefully it should be – that policy at the level of the Ministry is not written by Cabinet, it is written by the Minister. The Minister decides on policy. Now, as far as the policy is concerned, I have myself decided to set up a new set of way forward in terms of a flowchart as to how things are to happen and for things not to get stuck somewhere and for it to be very transparent and for me to give reasons for refusal or reasons as to why one is accepted and the other is not. So, everything has to be an informed decision and it has to be properly explained and placed even in a letter saying that land is not available. But there are circumstances where I have decided to go to Cabinet because there are certain industries or certain concepts that are being brought forward, new elements important to the economy and for that, it is the Minister who decides to go to Cabinet and it is his decision. Thank you

Okay, good. Before we proceed, one moment, so that I do not forget. I have now received a document. The Table has been advised that the following PQs – which we should have done before – have been withdrawn; B/867, B/868, B/869, and B/870, B/874, B/876. Yes, your next question! SSRN HOSPITAL – MS B.M. – DEMISE – INQUIRY & OUTCOME