Chairperson and hon members, the Select Committee on Appropriations, after considering the Bill, states as follows: The Appropriation Bill provides for the appropriation of money from the National Revenue Fund in terms of section 213 of the Constitution and section 13 of the Public Finance Management Act. However, the spending of the money is subject to the Public Finance Management Act and provisions of the Appropriation Bill.
The Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act stipulates, amongst other things, the legislative framework for amendments of the Appropriation Bill by the House, facilitated through the process of Parliament and its committee on appropriations.
Furthermore, Parliament is expected to amend or pass without amendments the Appropriation Bill as soon as it is feasible, so that the President can assent to it and the Act can be promulgated before the end of July each year.
The committee has considered the provisions of section 10 of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act and further considered the presentation from various stakeholders during the public hearings, as provided for by section 10(8) of the Act, as well as listened to the debates on the different Budget Votes.
The committee is of the view that the appropriation for 2010-11, as detailed in the Bill, mainly supports and also addresses the following policy priorities of government: firstly, enhancing the quality of health; secondly, fighting crime and corruption; thirdly, creating jobs, investment infrastructure and protecting the environment; fourth, making improvements in education and skills development; and, fifth, developing rural areas.
The committee, however, wishes to caution against the following. The continued underspending by some departments does not only raise concerns over capacity to spend but also creates unnecessary delays in the rolling out of services to our people. There are also the continued negative audit reports that might have a negative impact on the value for money spent. Going forward, consideration should be given to adding the following priorities to the Budget: the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, as well as allocations to the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, since the committee is of the view that those departments have very broad mandates with limited funds.
The committee recommends the adoption of the 2010 Appropriation Bill without any amendments. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Order! That concludes the debate. I shall now put the question. The question is that the Bill be agreed to. In accordance with Rule 33, I shall first allow political parties to make a declaration of vote if they so wish. Is there any political party that wishes to do so? No. We shall now proceed to the voting on the question.
Before I call for the voting, please... You understand the system. Should I repeat the system? Press button one to confirm your presence. There should be lights flashing. Are your lights flashing? If not, a service officer will assist you. We will proceed with the voting. Those who are in favour must press button four. Those who are against must press button two, and those who abstain must press button three. The voting will now take place.
Have you all voted? Mrs Chen, have you voted? Are you still going to vote? Okay. Mr Watson?
Chairperson, my voting machine is not working.
Let them give you a form, Mr Watson, to vote. Give one to Mr Lees also, as well as Ms Van Lingen. Those members whose machines are not working just raise your hands so that you can get a form for manual voting. Voting is now closed. Remember that when you vote, you have to put your card in. Have you forgotten that? [Interjections.] It is not working - oh, okay. We will revert to the manual voting system if it is not working. Have you all voted? On this side, we still have a shortage of members. I think we must begin to count now. It will be quicker. Do we have enough forms? We will use the hands. Has everybody voted? The staff will ... What is wrong, Mr de Villiers?
I am still waiting for a form.
Are you still waiting for a form? Just raise your hand. Are you voting aye or no?
Chairperson, I will tell you in just a moment.
No, we want to count the results.
All the people will see my voting. The other ones are using forms. I have a right to have a form.
Nobody will blame you for how you vote. We are wasting the trees of South Africa now. Has everybody voted now? The staff will then give me the results.
Forty-five members have voted in favour. I therefore declare the Bill agreed to in terms of section 75 of the Constitution. [Applause.]
Bill agreed to in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution.