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.