Report of the Mediation Committee on the Liquor Bill [B 23B and B 23D - 2003] (National Assembly - sec 76), dated 19 November 2003:

The Mediation Committee, having considered the Liquor Bill [B 23B and B 23D - 2003] (National Assembly - sec 76), as well as the papers referred to it, reports as follows:

1....... The Liquor Bill [B 23B - 2003] (National Assembly - sec 76) was passed by the National Assembly on 21 August 2003 and submitted to the National Council of Provinces for approval.

2....... The National Council of Provinces passed the Liquor Bill [B 23D - 2003] (National Assembly - sec 76) on 8 October 2003, containing a number of amendments agreed to by the Select Committee on Economic and Foreign Affairs.

3....... Upon referral of the latter amended Bill to the National Assembly, that House accepted some of the amendments passed by the National Council of Provinces, with the exception of Clause 6(2) of the Bill. Consequently, the National Assembly rejected the Bill.

4....... The Bill was referred to the Mediation Committee on 18 November 2003 in terms of Joint Rule 186(1)(b) of the Joint Rules of Parliament. The Mediation Committee met on 19 November 2003, and, after deliberation, agreed to submit another version of the Bill.

5....... The effect of this decision is that the Secretary to Parliament is required to submit the latter version of the Bill to both the Speaker and the Chairperson of the Council in terms of Joint Rule 188(3), for consideration by the House and the Council.

6....... The Committee therefore submits the Liquor Bill [B 23F - 2003] (National Assembly - sec 76), and recommends that the House and the Council pass this mediated version.