Hon members, before we proceed to the questions on the Question Paper, I would like to table rulings that I wish to make with respect to a number of matters that arise on the Question Paper. I would like to ask hon members to listen to the rulings carefully.
The first ruling is with respect to questions on issues outside the line function of a Ministry. Having carefully considered the Question Paper before the House today, it has come to my attention that a number of Ministries have been asked questions on the production of a language Bill or policy. It is common knowledge that the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology has been mandated by Government to carry out this task. It is also common knowledge that questions are a form of ensuring accountability on the part of a Ministry in respect of its area of responsibilities.
The NCOP Rules, in so far as they relate to what questions can be asked of a Minister, are silent. I therefore wish to invoke the provisions of NCOP Rule 2 to make the following ruling: In terms of parliamentary practice, a question to a Minister must, in principle, relate to a matter for which the Minister is officially responsible. The Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology is officially responsible for matters of language policy. It is therefore fitting for that Minister to be called to the House to answer questions on that issue. In the event of the Minister, in his reply, citing or referring to other Ministries, then those relevant Ministers may be called to respond to questions in respect of the issues raised.
The following questions, as printed on the Question Paper of 3 October 2000, under the heading: ``Questions transferred for oral reply in accordance with rule 239'' are therefore ruled to be out of order: question 1(3), question 2(3), question 3(3), question 4(3), question 5(3), and questions 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 and 14 in their entirety.
A number of Ministers to whom these questions have been addressed are present in the House. I will allow those Ministers who have prepared responses to deliver them. Where, however, there are no responses, my ruling is that those questions not be proceeded with, and consequently be removed from the Question Paper.
The Secretary will then assist me by taking the necessary steps to get the NCOP Rules amended accordingly.