Hon Deputy Speaker, hon members, from the outset, let me reiterate our long-held view that, despite patchy improvements and speaking times, the current proportional speaking formula does not provide parliamentary opposition parties, especially the smaller ones, enough opportunity to add maximum value to parliamentary debates.
The work of Parliament is by its nature very complex. We therefore believe that the complexity of the work of Parliament should be reflected in, firstly, the proportional formula that is applied to speaking time; and secondly, the resources that political parties need in order to be able to represent the views of their voters.
Another area of concern, as the Chief Whip of the Opposition has already highlighted before me, is that this institution seems to be content with diligently keeping a record, an accurate one, of the number of questions that are being put to the executive per year, without developing an effective management system to ensure that these questions are answered within a reasonable timeframe.
Questions are another important way of keeping the executive accountable for its actions and the work of its various departments. For this reason, allowing many questions to go unanswered or to only be answered a year later weakens the oversight role of Parliament.
Parliament also needs to pay particular attention to improving public participation - as the hon Speaker has already said here; I align myself with the hon Speaker - when dealing with controversial Bills that only come before Parliament every now and again. For instance, reports about claims that certain media people were being purged from public hearings the Protection of State Information Bill, as well as claims that committee members did not allow those with divergent views sufficient opportunity to thoroughly and meaningfully deliberate on the Protection of State Information Bill, undermine the role of this important institution. We cannot allow the public out there to perceive Parliament as an arm of government that appears eager to rubberstamp the work of the executive, when they - that is the public - pin their hopes on us as Members of Parliament to play an oversight role. The day we allow this to happen, we must know that we shall have failed the democracy.
In conclusion, allow me again to align myself with the Chief Whip of the Opposition in saying that it is important that Ministers are reminded of the importance of the work of Parliament. Over the years, we have seen an unacceptably high level of absenteeism of Ministers in this House. Once again, this negatively affects the ability of this House to carry out its duties.
The UDM supports the Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]