(b) to consider any representations made to it by a provincial assembly and, in its discretion, to report thereon to the Minister; and (c) to consider and report on any matter referred to it by the Minister for consideration; and (d) to superintend the activities of the ward assemblies and village assemblies and to give them such directions as it considers necessary. 40 Representation of interests of Government The Minister may designate a member of the Public Service to present the views of the Minister on any matter to a provincial assembly or the Council or to represent him at any meetings of a provincial assembly or the Council. 41 Clerks of Council and provincial assemblies and other staff (1) There shall be a clerk of the Council and of each provincial assembly appointed by the Minister from among members of the Public Service employed in his Ministry. (2) A clerk referred to in subsection (1) shall— (a) keep a record of the proceedings of the provincial assembly or Council to which he is appointed; (b) advise members of the provincial assembly or the Council on the procedures to be followed at meetings; (c) perform such other functions as he may be directed to perform by the Minister. (3) If the Minister considers it necessary to do so, he may designate from among members of the Public Service employed in his Ministry persons to perform the administrative and clerical work of a provincial assembly or the Council. (4) Any duties which a member of the Public Service may be required to perform in terms of this section shall, for the purposes of the law relating to the Public Service, be deemed to be duties of his office as a member of the Public Service. 42 Meetings of provincial assemblies and Council to be private (1) Subject to this section, all meetings of a provincial assembly or the Council shall be conducted in private. (2) The Minister or any person authorized by the Minister may attend any meeting of a provincial assembly or the Council and may take part in the proceedings thereat but shall not be entitled to vote. (3) A person designated in terms of section forty-one may attend a meeting of a provincial assembly or the Council, as the case may be, if so requested by the provincial assembly or the Council and may take part in the proceedings thereat but shall not be entitled to vote. (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing the holding of a meeting by a provincial assembly or the Council without the Minister or any person designated in terms of section forty-one being present. 43 Transaction of business notwithstanding vacancies Subject to this Act and any regulations relating to the quorum at a meeting of a provincial assembly or the Council or any committee of a provincial assembly or the Council, a provincial assembly or the Council shall not be disqualified from transacting business by reason of any vacancy in the membership of the provincial assembly, the Council or the committee, as the -4-