{l) On receipt of a petition under rule 6, the Speaker shall consider whether the petition .complies with the requirements of that rule.
PART-Ill LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT 7
(2) If the petition does not comply with the requirements of rule 6, the Speaker shall dismiss the petition and intimate the petitioner accordingly.
(3) If the petition complies with the requirements of rule 6, the Speaker shall cause copies of th2 petition and of the annexures thereto to be £orwarded,-
(a) to the member in. relation to whom the petition has been made; and
(b) where such member belongs to any legislature party and such petition has not been made by the leader thereof, also to such leader, and such member or leader shall, ...vithin seven days of the receipt of such copies, or within such further period as the Speaker may for sufficient cause allow, forward his comments in writing thereon to the Speaker.
(4) After considering the comments, if any, in relation to the petition, received under sub-rule (3) within the period allowed (whether originally or en extension under that subrule), the Speaker may either proceed to determine the question or, if he is satisfied, having regard to the nature and circumstances of the case that it is necessary or expedient so to do, refer the petition to the Committee for making a preliminary inquiry and 'Submitting a report to him.
(5) The Speaker shall, as soon as may be after referring a petition to the Committee under sub-rule (4), intimate the petitioner accordingly and make an announcement with respect to such reference in the House, or, if the House is not then in session, 'Cause the i~Jormation as to the reference to be published in {he Bulletin.
(6) Where the Speaker makes a reference under subrule (4) to the Committ-ee, he shall pr.oceed to determine t~e question as soon as m.ay be after receipt of the report from the Committee.
8 LA GAZETTE DE L'ETAT [PART-II
(7) The procedure which shall be followed by the Speaker for determining any question and the procedure which shall be followed by the Speaker for determining any question and the procedure which shall be followed by the Committee for the purpose of making a preliminary inquiry under subrule (4) shall be, so far as may be, the same as the procedure for inquiry and determination by the Committee of any question as to breach of privilege of the House by a member, and neither the Speaker nor the Committee shall come to any finding that a: member has become subject to disqualification under the Tenth Schedule without affording a reasonable opportunity to such member to represent his case and to be heard in person.
(8) The provisions of sub-rules (1) to (7) shall apply with respect to a petition in relation to the Speaker as they apply with respect to a petition in relation to any other member and for ,this purpose, reference to the Speaker in these sub-rules shall be construed as including references to the member elected by the House under the proviso to sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 6 of the Tenth Schedule.