Madam Chair, sorry, but I have to address you again. We have taken two decisions, and I believe that we don't have a quorum as determined by the Rules.
Hon House Chairperson, a quorum is a third. I don't know which quorum my hon dear friend is talking about. Maybe his arithmetic is wanting this afternoon.
The quorum is a third. The Chief Whip of the Majority Party says that there is a quorum in the House. Can we continue?
Chairperson, with all due respect, how have you determined the quorum? I mean, you can't just take it on the ... [Interjections.]
One third of the House.
But have you counted?
Hon House Chairperson, I request that you call the DA to order, or they should leave the House because they are disruptive.
Hon members, give us two minutes to count the number of members in this House. Then we can ... [Interjections.]
Sincere thanks!
... decide what we should do. ... [Inaudible.] ... We are 11 members short for a quorum. All right. The bells will be rung for five minutes and we will then continue.
May I just ask that the Chief Whip of the Majority Party withdraw his accusation against the DA. [Interjections.]
Hon House Chairperson, between the time when I spoke and now, we don't know how many members left the House, so I can't withdraw. [Interjections.]
All right. The bells will be rung for five minutes and we shall wait to see whether we have a quorum to continue the business of this House.
Chair, could I have your attention. Could I make a suggestion?
I think we have a quorum, Mr Farrow.
Irrespective, I think the easiest way, besides doing a physical manual count, would be to just get everybody to go to their seats and press their button and we will get a record, and that will save a lot effort. Thank you. [Interjections.]
Hon Farrow, we have taken your suggestion. Will you all take your seats now? I am waiting for some members to get to their seats. Chief Whip of the Majority Party, could you please take your seat. Are you all in place now, in your proper seats? Hon members, press your "yes" button so we can get a position as to the quorum of this House. You may commence. Press the red button. [Interjections.] Have you all pressed the required button? [Interjections.]
Are there any problems? [Interjections.] Press any button. We want to see if there is a quorum in the House. So, press any button; just press a button. [Interjections.] All right, have you all pressed a button? [Interjections.] Thank you. Hon Ainslie, is there a problem? [Interjections.]
We needed 134 votes. There were 134 people in the House, or hon members in the House. We now have 157 hon members in the House. So, we can continue with our work. [Applause.]