Madam Chair, hon members of the House and the Ministers present today, the Measurement Units and Measurement Standards Bill sounds like a very technical Bill, but, in actual fact, the Bill only seeks to establish the National Metrology Institute, which was previously part of the CSIR and the National Metrology Laboratory, as a juristic person that is independent from the CSIR.
The sector of metrology is usually very technical in such a way that we, as laymen, sometimes do not even know of its existence. It is, however, very important because in terms of international trade, standards, quality assurance and accreditation, it is the correct functioning of such an institute that keeps our products in the international markets. It is therefore very crucial for South Africa to have a very sophisticated and highly competent metrology system, in order to keep abreast of technological advancement in line with the globalised markets.
Western countries usually put very high standards on the products they import, especially products from Third World countries. This they do, knowing very well that most developing countries do not even have metrology institutes to be in a position to measure the standards of their goods. South Africa is doing a lot of good work for our fellow African countries in this regard. An example will be that of the Tanzanian fish that was banned in the European markets under the pretext of low quality and standards. South Africa came in and helped, and normalised the situation in the Tanzanian export market.
I wish the following Bills, the Measurement Units and Measurement Standards Bill and the Accreditation for Conformity Assessment, Calibration and Good Laboratory Practice Bill, would also be applied to political parties. We could then have standards of behaviour compatible with what our people expect from a South African Parliament. Standards of procedures for evaluating performance and intervals for evaluation would be set for these parties. We could then explain the consequences of substandard performance, because right now, substandard performance is the norm in these parties.
As of now, Madam Chair, you can imagine what might happen if you left the opposition parties alone in this House without the ANC. Chaos of frightening proportions! The beautiful textile and embroidery that makes our Parliament walls very beautiful might be replaced with female underwear. Neighbouring countries like Lesotho might be invaded and colonised. All the efforts to build stadiums for 2010 would be halted. There would be no Gautrain. Settlers might be sent back to Europe and the country might be called Azania.
The only reliable person who can be left alone without the ANC in the House might be hon Van der Merwe. At least, when we came back, our salaries would have been tripled. [Laughter.] I would not mind leaving him alone; in fact, I would advise that you leave him alone. The ANC supports the Bill. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms C-S Botha): Perhaps you want to move a private member's motion on that.