House Chairperson, the DA would like to warmly welcome Prof Jahed to the position and we echo the sentiments expressed by the other speakers today. Our only concern and request is that Parliament pays full attention to the capacitation of that office. We have had issues around office space allocated to the budget office. We need to hear firm and concrete plans for sufficient space to be given to the competent Prof Jahed and the - no doubt - competent team that he will appoint.
Secondly, we need to make sure that this budget office complies with the letter of the legislation that establishes it - the Money Bills Act, which, in section 15(3), says:
The Parliamentary Budget Office may undertake research on request by the Houses, other committees or Members of Parliament on matters related to the budget and other Money Bills, subject to capacity.
Access to this office is one of the most critical considerations when you create an effective budget office. That, as the hon Singh said, is the message we got from the international experts on offices such as this. However, provided these factors are taken into account and that Prof Jahed is given the resources he needs to advice us sufficiently on budgetary matters, we are in full support of his appointment. [Applause.]