Any state paper or a dispatch quoted by a Minister while speaking in the National Assembly must be laid on the Table of the House and thereby become part of parliamentary and public record. This requirement applies only to the Ministers and only when they quote from “state papers” or a “dispatch”. However, neither of these terms is defined in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007. Internet defines state papers as “a document or file kept by a government to record discussions, options and decisions by government officials, departments and civil servants.”

Why it matters for National Assembly proceedings?

The tabling requirement for quoted official documents serves as an important transparency mechanism within the National Assembly and has practical implications for ministerial accountability. This prevents the Ministers from relying on undisclosed material to support arguments without allowing scrutiny of its content.

What is in it for citizens?

For citizens and journalists following debates in the National Assembly, the tabling requirement creates a documented trail of information. When data or evidence is cited to justify a policy position, the underlying document must become part of the National Assembly record and can be examined to understand the basis of the claims being made.

Source: Rule 291, Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007

The proceedings of the National Assembly are governed by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007. The current rules were passed on 23 February 2007 and have since been amended 22 times, most recently on 9 March 2026.

This post is part of FAFEN’s series on parliamentary literacy. Read more of this series here.