Clerk, Deputy Clerk and Assistant Clerk of the National Assembly

The Clerk, assisted by the Deputy Clerk and Assistant Clerk of the National Assembly administers a department of staff members and is responsible for providing services to the Speaker and the Assembly, including the Prime Minister, Ministers, Party leaders; “shadow’ Ministers and private Members. The Management role of the Clerk covers the usual range of departmental functions, including appointments, discipline, attendance, hours of duty, overtime, leave, salaries, etc.

Apart from his public administrative responsibilities, the Clerk is responsible for procedural matters both inside and outside the Chamber. In this capacity he has numerous responsibilities laid down in the Standing Orders which are derived from the Constitution.

The Clerk also performs important functions in the legislative process. As each bill is passed by the Assembly and before it is sent to the President for his assent, the Clerk must satisfy himself that the bill is in proper order. In whatever way and whenever the Assembly deals with an amendment to a bill or disposes of a bill, the Clerk is required to record accordingly and faithfully the action taken by the National Assembly.

When the Assembly proceeds to elect a new Speaker the Clerk assumes the role of Chairman of the National Assembly calling on the proposer and seconder and putting such questions as are necessary until the Speaker’s Chair is filled.

The Clerk must also assist in the smooth running of the Chamber by the provision of routine support services, documentation and advice. To do this adequately the Clerk must have extensive knowledge and experience in the interpretation of the Standing Orders, in parliamentary practice and precedent, and in the requirements of the Constitution in so far as they affect the functions and tasks of the Assembly. He is also required to be informed on the law and practice of the United Kingdom House of Commons from which much of the Assembly’s practice is derived.

The Parliament Office is also responsible for all financial disbursement to Members of Parliament with the deputy Clerk serving as the Accounting officer. The Deputy Clerk also coordinates all human resources and the physical maintenance of the public buildings.

The positions of Clerk and the Deputy Clerk are Constitutional offices. Their appointments are made by the President acting on advice from the Speaker. All other Parliament Office staff is appointed by the Public Service Commission after consultation with the Clerk.