Question 254, which has been asked by hon M Waters to the Minister of Health, has been ruled out of order, and Mr Waters has been informed accordingly. The DA's next question on the Question Paper ...
Madam Speaker, will you take a point of order?
Yes, what's your point?
Can I ask for the reasons why that question has been removed from the Order Paper?
I have ruled the question by Mr Waters out of order, because it transgresses the Rules and practices of the National Assembly, particularly Rule 63, which forbids the use of offensive or unbecoming language. It is patently clear from the question that was submitted by the hon member that it reflected on the integrity of the Minister as it impugns impropriety on her part.
As you know, it is established practice in this House that allegations against another member can only be brought before the House by way of a substantive motion, and such a motion should be properly motivated and substantiated.
Members cannot be allowed to reflect on the integrity of others in the form of questions or other means other than through the mechanisms that this House has imposed upon itself. [Interjections.] So, I am not going to debate that issue with you, Mr Davidson. I have ruled the question out of order, and am not allowing a debate about the matter. Mr Davidson, I'd like you to take your seat regarding this matter. [Interjections.]
Madam Speaker, on a further point of order, may I suggest that the Chair is not in order by simply directing a member to take his seat when he is willing ... [Interjections.]
Hon Delport, I also want you to take your seat, because I am not allowing a debate on Question 254, which I have ruled out of order and that is the end of that particular issue. [Interjections.] We now come to Question 298. [Interjections.]
Madam Speaker, as the person who submitted that question, could you refer me to the exact words which are unbecoming, please?
Hon Waters, I have finished with the issue of Question 254. If there is nothing else you want to raise, I'd like you to take your seat ...
I would like you to direct me to those words ...
I am not allowing you ...
... that are unbecoming of an MP ... [Interjections.]
Hon Waters, get out of the House. [Interjections.]
I will not. I want to know ...
Hon Waters, get out of the House ... [Interjections.] Get out. Leave the House.
I will not ... [Interjections.]
Hon Waters, get out of the House ... [Interjections.]
I want to know what is unbecoming ... [Interjections.]
Leave the House, Waters. [Interjections.]
Is that an instruction from Luthuli House or from yourself?
It is an instruction from me, and I would like you to leave the House, hon Waters. [Interjections.] Hon Waters, leave the House.
This, Madam Speaker, is a farce and you know it ...
Hon Waters, leave the House.
It's an absolute farce. You are covering up for a thief ...
Leave the House ...
You are covering up for a thief. [Interjections.]
Mr M Waters, having disregarded the authority of the Chair, was ordered to withdraw from the Chamber for the remainder of the day's sitting. [Interjections.]
Order! [Interjections.] Order, hon members! [Interjections.] Question 298 ... [Interjections.]
Madam Speaker, I just wanted to warn people who want to wreck these proceedings that, for their own good, they must behave or leave Parliament. [Interjections.]
Madam Speaker, on a point of order, on what point did the hon Chief Whip rise? [Interjections.]
Hon members, can you take your seats. I now want us to proceed to Question 298.
Proposed visits by Portfolio Committees of Parliament to departments other than their designated departments 298. Mr M B Skosana (IFP) asked the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:
Whether, in light of the recent appeal made by President Mbeki that government departments should undertake closer cooperation for effective service delivery, the Portfolio Committees of Parliament need to visit government departments other than their designated departments in pursuing cross-cutting issues in order to facilitate and coordinate service delivery at all levels of society; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?