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Parliament, Tuesday 14 August 2012 – Parliament will hold a joint sitting this month to which the South African Olympic team would be invited “to congratulate our athletes on behalf of the nation and to express our appreciation for their performance.”

National Assembly (NA) Speaker Mr Max Sisulu announced this at the start of his meeting today with Speaker of the House of Commons, United Kingdom Parliament, Mr John Bercow.

Turning to more serious matters, Mr Sisulu announced that the NA was undertaking a comprehensive review of its rules and orders. Part of this review would include the modernisation of procedures and practices for the House and its substructures.

The review would also include the development of the rules for the introduction of an Impact Assessment Report. This report would require the Executive to undertake an assessment of the likely impact and implications of legislation before it is introduced in Parliament.

“We understand that the House of Commons has conducted a similar process and established a special committee in this regard. It would be beneficial for us to understand how the House of Commons proceeded with its modernisation process, how the committee carried out its work and what challenges it faced. Future engagement or exchanges could also be planned to facilitate information-sharing in this regard,” Mr Sisulu told his UK counterpart.

He urged continued collaboration to find common ground on issues of global importance. South Africa and the UK had already found common ground on climate change, the Millennium Development Goals and the reform of international financing institutions at fora such as the Inter Parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Besides his meeting with Mr Sisulu, Mr Bercow will meet National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Chairperson Mr Mninwa Mahlangu, Deputy NA Speaker Ms Nomaindia Mfeketo and Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP Ms Thandi Memela.

Arrangements have also been made for Mr Bercow to meet Ms Lindiwe Mazibuko, Parliamentary leader of the Democratic Alliance, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party, and Mr Mosioua Lekota, leader of the Congress of the People.