Chairperson, the Housing Budget Vote, which we are about to vote on, provides additional resources that will enable the housing delivery programme to increase the number of houses to be constructed in the 2007-08 financial year. We in the ANC wish to welcome the increase in the allocation to Vote 27, which is up from R7,3 billion in 2006-07 financial year to the current R8,8 billion in this financial year as well as the increase in the housing subsidy to R38 984. It will be important that, as we continue to see increases in the housing share of the budget, the department continues to strengthen both its monitoring and evaluation capacity.

The newly developed norms and standards, which came into effect on 1 April 2007, are welcome. This means that breaking new ground houses will be quality houses of 40 square meters in size and consist of two bedrooms, a separate bathroom with toilet, shower and hand basin, a separate kitchen area with a kitchen sink. We want to express our support for both the budget and the programme of work, which was announced by the Minister in her budget speech a few weeks ago.

I want to conclude that it is correct that this ANC-led government has built 2,4 million houses and will continue to do so. I would like to suggest that the hon Steyn and his party should be ashamed of themselves for having openly admitted last year that we only built one house. Thank you. [Laughter.] [Applause.]

Vote agreed to.

Vote No 28 - Land Affairs - put. Declarations of vote: