PC Private: Committee Programme; 2010 Committee Annual Report; Training Workshop Report; Vietnam Delegation Report

Meeting report

Opening Remarks by Chairperson
The Chairperson welcomed Members and stated that there were few issues he needed to comment on before the Committee could begin with its agenda for the day. Firstly, he informed Members that there had been a change in the membership of the Committee. Ms J Sosibo (ANC) would no longer be the Committee Whip and would be replaced by Ms M Kubayi (ANC).

Secondly, the Chairperson mentioned that he had received a second legal opinion from the Office of the Chief State Law Adviser (OCSLA) concerning the petition by Mr A. Munasur. The opinion highlighted that it would be difficult to advise the Committee before the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) had taken a decision on whether to accept or reject Mr Munasur’s petition. The PSCBC had written a letter to Mr Munasur advising him to meet with the relevant department in order to resolve the issue of his petition and the Committee would only know then what role to play in the matter. The OCSLA had been invited by the Committee to be part of the hearing and they had shown an interest in that regard.

Thirdly, the Chairperson informed Members that he had had a lengthy discussion with the new Chairperson of Chairpersons, Hon. Cedrick Frolick about the work of the Committee. He had shown an interest in assisting in reenergising the Committee and had requested the Committee to forward to him all documents and communiqué that had happen between the Committee and the previous Chairperson of Committee.

Fourthly, the Chairperson notified Members that the Committee was still for permission to continue with the proposed Petitions Bill.

Lastly, the Chairperson said that discussions were still continuing with the Research Unit to secure a researcher for the Committee.

First Term Committee Programme 2011
The Chairperson asked Members to deliberate, scrutinise and make corrections and amendments so as to adopt the report.

Mr P Pretorius (DA) stated that in previous years the summer study tour usually started between December and January. He asked if the Committee should wait for the new Chairperson of Committees to give it the go ahead with the arrangements of the summer study tour because there was nothing written in terms of the current programme of the committee.

The Chairperson replied that the package that would be given to the new Chairperson of Committees included several legislative proposals that the Committee was trying to resuscitate. It had also been communicated that the Committee would no longer have two study tours abroad in its five year term, but only one instead. This would take place in the last year of the Committee’s term. The Committee needed to make plans and take them to the Chairperson of Committees for consideration.

Mr Pretorius voiced concern that it was not feasible for the Committee to wait until its last year to go for a study tour abroad because nothing would be achieved. He therefore advised the Committee that the study tour should be brought forward.

Ms J Killian (COPE) agreed with Mr Pretorius and argued that the study tour should have be done in the first year of the Committee’s term so that whatever knowledge and experience had been learned could be brought back and shared with other committees.

The Chairperson agreed that this matter should be revisited and fresh proposal should be sent to the Chair of Chairpersons. In addition, he thanked Members for their inputs and assured them that this issue would be considered going forward.

The Committee adopted the programme with amendments.

2010 Committee Annual Report
The Chairperson asked Members to engage with the report and highlight anything that was not correct or had been omitted.

Mr Pretorius sought clarity about the management unit that was referred to in the report because as he was not aware that the Committee had such a structure.

The Chairperson replied that this structure had been in operation for some time. It comprised of the Chairperson, the support staff and the Committee Whip.

Ms Killian questioned the use of the term ‘Committee Whip’ and asked if this was allowed in terms of the rules of Parliament.

The Chairperson replied that that the Committee Secretary would be requested to check the rules.

The Committee adopted the report with amendments.

Committee Training Workshop Report
The Chairperson tabled the report for consideration.

The Committee was satisfied with the content of the report and adopted it without any amendments.

Vietnam Delegation Report
The Chairperson asked if any amendments should be made to the report.

Members did not raise any objections and approved the report without any changes.

The meeting was adjourned.