NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 710
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 7 AUGUST 2009: (INTERNAL
QUESTION PAPER NO 7 - 2009)
â709. Mr L L Bosman (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
Whether in light of the current recession and the consequent shortfall
in state revenue, her department has introduced any austerity measures
to reduce its expenditure with regards to (a) official vehicles, (b)
travel, (c) travel by department officials, (d) accommodation and
households help or (e) any aspects of government business; if not,
what is the position in this regards; if so, what are the relevant
details?â
NW804E
REPLY
1. Yes.
a) We are continuously enforcing controls by ensuring that log
books are completed and have begun to consolidate the number of
deliveries and pickups so that in a day we minimize the use of
official vehicles. The DST has only ten (10) vehicles which are
regularly serviced and are in good condition. Because of this,
we do not intend to purchase more vehicles in the near future.
(b) and (c) The Department has embarked on a reprioritisation process
to ensure that officials use the most economical means to attend
to business of the Department. Officials have been urged to
arrange or attend meetings that do not require âovernight stayâ.
Additionally, the number of the delegates to the meetings has
been reduced to minimize accommodation costs as well as travel
costs. When employees are traveling to the same destination,
they are encouraged to use the same mode of transportation to
reduce costs.
(d) Employees are encouraged to attend meetings that do not require
overnight stay. Additionally, the number of the delegates to
the meetings has been reduced to minimize accommodation costs.
(e) On the matter regarding any other aspect of government business the
DST has curtailed the number of meetings and refreshments
offered at those meetings.