Hon members, before I give the floor to the ANC to make a statement, let me take this opportunity to give a ruling. At the conclusion of members' statements on 27 February 2014, a point of order was put by the hon Kalyan on whether more than one Minister could respond to a single statement.
I pointed out to the House that the intention of the Rules in this regard was for a member's statement to be directed at a particular Minister or made in respect of a particular Minister's portfolio.
Minister Pandor then made the point as to how statements which were not directed to a particular Minister or a particular portfolio should be responded to. I indicated that I would consider the matter and provide a considered ruling. I now rule on the issue as follows.
Members' statements create an opportunity for members to air their views on topical issues. These issues include, but are not limited to, any matter relevant to the national sphere of government, international and national issues, and constituent matters.
The Rules provide an opportunity at the conclusion of statements for a relevant Minister present to be given an opportunity to respond to any statement directed to that Minister or made in respect of that Minister's portfolio.
When we take into consideration that only six ministerial responses are allowed to 15 statements, it is practical that a response to a statement not be given twice. The principle of a single response to a statement therefore extends to all forms of statements made during members' statements, and this includes statements that are not directed to a particular portfolio or Minister. Thank you.