Question 2
Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether, with reference to his statement on executive accountability to Parliament on 24 June 2009 (details furnished), his standpoint is being enforced; if not, why not; if so, why are Ministers still:
a) providing incomplete and inadequate answers to parliamentary questions and
(b) not answering questions, especially on issues of national importance;
(2) Whether, in light of his statement as Leader of Government Business, he will introduce any mechanisms to ensure that the executive apply a full disclosure policy on providing answers to all accountability measures of Parliament; if not, why not; if so, (a) what mechanisms,
(b) when and
(c) how will the executive be accountable until the introduction of these mechanisms?
Reply:
(1) I would like to assure Honourable Members that Ministers are well aware of their obligations to account to Parliament in terms of the Constitution.
The Honourable Ellis in his Question to me refers to Ministers “providing incomplete and inadequate answers” and “not answering questions”. I am not aware of this happening and he has not given any examples.
It is true that some Ministers exceed the period provided for in the Rules of the National Assembly for answering written Questions but I am sure that the Honourable Ellis is aware that those same Rules provide for remedies for this - namely by transferring that question from written to oral reply. I am not aware of this having been done in the recent period.
2. Honourable Members, as I have already stated, the Rules of the National Assembly do provide mechanisms for ensuring that Questions to the Executive are answered. As these Rules are adopted by this House and not the Executive, I believe it would be up to the National Assembly to decide whether they are sufficient or need to be strengthened.
As Leader of Government Business I give a report at each Cabinet meeting detailing the number of Questions each Minister has outstanding.
Issued by: The Presidency
19 August 2009
