Hon members, before we proceed with questions, I wish to advise the House that I've received correspondence from certain Ministers, who were meant to respond to questions, indicating that they were unable to be present today. The Ministers concerned are the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Minister of Public Service and Administration. The Ministers have asked for the questions to stand over.
Needless to say, I'm very concerned about the fact that Ministers are not available to respond to questions. To this effect, I will raise this concern with the hon Leader of Government Business, and I'm certain that the matter will receive his speedy attention.
I have also been informed that the Minister in the Presidency: National Planning Commission is unable to attend today's sitting. The Minister of Labour will respond to questions addressed to the Minister. [Interjections.] We are not voting on the matter, hon members. [Laughter.]
The first item on the Order Paper is questions addressed to the Deputy President.
Speaker, may I address you on the point you have just raised?
Go ahead.
Thank you. The DA echoes your concerns about the fact that Ministers are not available to answer questions. We would like to put on record that it's the third time that the Minister in The Presidency: National Planning Commission and the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation have not presented themselves before this House to answer questions. We have also been informed that the Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration will answer questions on co-operative governance. We would like to know why that is going to happen because that particular portfolio has a Deputy Minister.
Hon member, I've said I'm going to raise the matter with the Deputy President, the Leader of Government Business, and we have expressed our collective concern. Thank you.