Mr Speaker, hon members, a large number of parliamentary questions were unfortunately not answered before the deadlines set by Parliament last year. As far as I am aware, replies to most if not all the questions were finally compiled, but the parliamentary Rules, as we all know, do not provide for any late answering at the end of the year.
So even if replies were submitted, if that happened after the deadline, they would be reflected as unanswered, and therefore Parliament will not accept the reply. I have taken the initiative to write to all Ministers who had unanswered questions and request an explanation for each unanswered question. I also asked which steps they were taking to ensure that they answer all parliamentary questions submitted to them this year.
I will then report to Cabinet, where further discussions on the matter will take place. Feedback to this House will be given through the Speaker, hon Sisulu. As I indicated in my reply to oral Question 16 last year, it is also up to this House to discuss the matter and decide if they want to institute sanctions against Cabinet Ministers who do not answer parliamentary questions. Thank you.