Hon Lawrence Gonzi MP Prime Minister Chairman

.  Members . Hon. Charles Buhagiar MP Hon. Joseph Falzon MP Hon. Franco Debono MP Hon. Roderick Galdes MP

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17B. (1) There shall be a Standing Committee on Development Planning which shall consist of five members, one of whom shall be the Minister, who shall also be the Committee's Chairman, and four other members appointed by the House, of whom two shall be members supporting the Government and the other two shall be members from the Opposition.

       (2) Any development plan referred to the House of Representatives in terms of this Act shall be first referred to the Standing Committee. The Standing Committee shall review any such plan referred to it as aforesaid and shall recommend to the House whether the plan should be approved, with or without amendments, or rejected. The Standing Committee may also discuss any report referred to it by the Minister relating to the structure plan or any review thereof.

       (3) When notice of a motion, as is referred to in article 22(2), is given by the Minister, that motion shall be referred to the Standing Committee of the House, and the said Standing Committee shall discuss the said motion and report thereon to the House.

       (4) Not later than one month after a notice as is referred to in subarticle (3) has been referred to the Standing Committee of the House, the said Standing Committee shall discuss the structure plan or any review thereof, and shall, not later than one month after the said plan or review thereof has been referred to it, report thereon to the House:

           Provided that where the said Standing Committee fails to report to the House within the said period of one month, the House may pass on to discuss the motion.

     (5) Where the report of the Standing Committee on a motion is unanimous, the House shall proceed to vote on such motion and on any amendments that are proposed in the said report without debate.