Hon Acting Speaker and hon members, as I have reported to this House before, I do provide a report to each Cabinet meeting on the overdue replies to parliamentary questions, both in this House and in the NCOP. Ministers are well aware of their obligation in terms of the Constitution to account collectively and individually to Parliament for the exercise of their powers and the performance of their functions.
Having made enquiries regarding the reasons for failure to reply to the 13 outstanding questions in the period that the hon Ndlovu refers to, it would appear that the difficulty lies in the desire on the part of Ministers to provide accurate information so that they do not end up misleading the House. The nature of the questions is very extensive, and in some cases it covers provinces as well. So, that can account for the delays. However, Ministers are reminded on a regular basis at each and every sitting of Cabinet. Thank you.