Hon Speaker, yesterday the hon Alberts asked two questions. One was directed to the Minister of Finance and the other was directed to me. Basically, those two questions were one question. The Minister of Finance responded to his question and he was not here. Today, without having had the benefit of the response to the question he asked yesterday, he reads a statement which raises exactly the same ... [Interjections.]
Hon Speaker, on a point of order: Yesterday, during question time, it was clearly stated that the hon member was not here and was absent for specific reasons. The fact that he was not present yesterday has nothing to do with the statement made today. We expect the hon Minister to reply to that statement. The member made sure that he got the information about the question that was asked yesterday. We expect the hon Minister to reply to that statement.
Speaker, on a point of order: That was clearly not a point of order. I argue that we ignore it and allow the Minister to continue. [Interjections.]
That is exactly what he is intending to do, hon member. [Laughter.]
Thank you. The statement that the hon member made today had been adequately responded to yesterday by the Minister of Finance. Regardless of the reason he was not here, had he been present, he would have had the benefit of a response to the question that he had asked. That notwithstanding, the matter is before the board of Transnet and the board of trustees of the Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund, TSDBF, and is being attended to. Any other issue that was raised by him was done totally for opportunistic reasons. The matter is being attended to by the board of Transnet and there is nothing else that we can do to try and exert pressure so that a response is provided by the board of trustees.
With regard to the second question, which was the statement made about the HIV/Aids programme, South Africa is a shining example internationally for its HIV/Aids programme. The leadership provided both by government and by the Minister of Health must be applauded and commended by every South African.
We further support the Minister of Health's initiatives about breastfeeding because it is going to provide a lot of assistance to many children and mothers. Government will do everything in its power to provide the necessary support to women, mothers and children so that this programme becomes a success. [Applause.]