Your point has been made, hon member. May I say that the request that has been made by the hon Minister of Science and Technology is very relevant. I think it will avert a lot of different interpretations.
In terms of parliamentary procedures - and I really do not want to do this, but I will do it now - is that you find Rules that have been developed by Parliament, in this instance both for the National Assembly and for the NCOP. There are also Joint Rules that have been developed, but over time, some parliamentary practices in all parliaments around the world - and the South African Parliament is not unique - have been developed and captured, and these are what we call guides to procedure. I will ask that these guides to procedure be distributed to all hon members.
I am not going to discuss this matter in this sitting, because that is not an item on the agenda. However, it is important, and that is why I am dealing with it. The guide to procedure that is issued every year, captures the parliamentary practices as they develop and become part of our standing orders, in terms of how we apply them in Parliament. That does not only happen in this Parliament, hon member, but it happens in all parliaments around the world. Those are established procedures that can then be used to reflect upon when points of order are raised. If we rush into a situation where we want to stipulate each and every instance, the Rules will not serve their purpose any longer, because it will then become a detailed interpretation of each and every practice and procedure that has been developed over the years.
Now, you raised it yesterday and you have raised it now, hon Chief Whip of the EFF, and I have a serious problem with that. There are established structures that can be utilised and, in this instance, the Rules committee of the National Assembly is the appropriate structure that must be utilised, where you can raise this point.
I also wish to add that in the Fourth Parliament extensive work was done to review the National Assembly's Rules. That process must be completed as soon as possible and I will request the National Assembly Table staff to activate the process of the review, including the training for all Members of Parliament. I do not take it for granted that each and every member, even members who have been here since 1994 or whenever, has a full understanding of the Rules and the practices, especially, as they have developed. Can we continue in that vein, hon members? Thank you. [Applause.]
Hon members, let us conclude the matter as you will have an opportunity in the Rules Committee, as I have stated, to deal with it.
I want to conclude this Vote that is currently in front us, which is Public Enterprises. Table staff, am I correct when I say this Vote is agreed to?
It has not been put yet? I put the Vote, hon members. Are there any objections? There are objections.
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters and Freedom Front Plus dissenting).
Vote No 12 - Public Service and Administration - put. Declarations of vote: