Chair, I would like to say that it is a pity that the hon member from Cope has been absent from the portfolio committee meetings. I see they are nearly all absent here now, for some reason I do not know. We can only speculate.
Let me say right away that this Department of Trade and Industry is one of the most dynamic and innovative of all the departments. They have come forward with an industrial policy programme which should make a huge difference to our industrial capacity. Can one ask the question: What would South Africa be like without a substantial manufacturing industry? That is the job of this department.
They have launched a programme, and they are doing everything they can to get it moving. So, it is not a welfare department, and therefore subsidising consumer goods is the wrong approach. Subsidies can go to the manufacturing industry where they innovate, build new capacity, and make South Africa proud. We really do not want subsidies for consumers. That is the way of a welfare state, which is not the direction that we want to take. The ANC supports this particular Vote. Thank you.
Vote agreed to.
Vote No 36 - Transport-put.
Declarations of vote: