I'm now going to make a ruling regarding the question of time raised by the hon Ellis. Hon members, hon Ellis earlier raised a point of order in which he objected to the practice of ANC speaking time being given to members of the executive when time has been saved.
Though there is a clear distinction between executive speaking time and party speaking time, which relates to the purpose of the debate, it is a long established practice that the ANC gives time that it saves to Ministers during the debates on the Budget Votes. However, it is also practice that such changes to the speakers' list are communicated to the other parties timeously.
What was said and not said in the Chief Whips' Forum is not relevant now. The Chair cannot be expected to act as an arbiter on a matter that was discussed in the forum. The allocation of speaking time is a matter that is attended to by the Whips of the various parties. I therefore want to appeal to Whips to sort this matter out as soon as possible. Please find a mutually acceptable position on this matter and ensure that it is communicated to all the role-players concerned. In the meantime, the practice will prevail and the Minister will have her five minutes plus one. [Applause.]