Order, hon members! Before I deal with the first order and call upon the Minister, I want to remind members of some important points that we need to accept at the start of the Extended Public Committees, EPCs. This is to remind members that an Extended Public Committee is no different from the NA plenary. The same rules apply and the same decorum and conduct is expected of members. Having said that, I want to read an extract to remind members of what I am saying. These are points that have been taken down since 2003 to guide Members of Parliament in EPCs and also in the NA:
The House plays a critical role in exercising and upholding the principles of democracy enshrined in our Constitution. Its members are citizens elected to exercise the mandate as representatives of the people who elected them. They are constantly in the public eye and speak for and on behalf of thousands of voters and nonvoters alike. The public can and do view parliamentary proceedings from the public gallery. They also view these proceedings on television or listen to them on radio. These and related House decorum and dignity issues require that Members of Parliament pay attention to the manner in which they conduct themselves in the House.
It is in this context that the House constantly seeks to protect itself from physical disruption, disturbance and ultimate destruction.
It goes on to say:
The rules of debate include a rule that states that no member shall use offensive or unbecoming language.
That is NA Rule 63.
Unparliamentary language is seen as any remark or expression contrary to provisions in the Rules and agreed practice. These include offensive, provocative or threatening language in the House. Personal attacks on members, insults and obscene language is not allowed. Members have previously been requested to refrain from making provocative gestures that are physically threatening to other members.
The rules governing the use of offensive or unbecoming words also apply to quotations. An offensive remark is no less offensive for being framed as a question. Unparliamentary expressions are only applicable with reference to members of the House and not to political parties. Derogatory remarks about members' race, ethnicity or religion are unparliamentary.
Hon members, this is the reminder I wanted to share before we start. I hope this will assist us during our proceedings.