Mr President, in response to an earlier question, you did say the challenge is to get the basics right. The basics with regard to officials doing business with government is for them, senior managers in particular, to disclose their financial interests. Unfortunately, the report of the Public Service Commission suggests that not all senior managers have declared their financial interests. I am glad, Mr President, that you have indicated that Ministers have been directed to ensure that their directors-general monitor the simple task of making sure that all senior managers disclose their financial interests.
Further to that, hon President, when the Auditor-General's report was discussed at the Select Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa, we found that Ministers were notorious for their absence or conspicuous by their absence, except for the hon Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries who was present at one of the briefings. None of the other Ministers have attended Scopa briefings and hearings. I would like to know, Mr President, if you would direct the hon Ministers that whenever there is a briefing by the Office of the Auditor-General or hearings that are conducted with regard to any department, they have to, as a matter of course, attend those meetings and hearings so that they can have a hands-on approach. Thank you, Mr President. [Time expired.] [Applause.]