The Minister of Finance tabled the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (henceforth referred to as the MTBPS) on 27 October 2010, outlining the budget priorities of government for the medium term estimates. The MTBPS (spending issues portion) was referred to the Select Committee on Appropriations (the Committee) to consider and report in accordance with their respective mandates as outlined in the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act No 9 of 2009 (henceforth referred to as the Act). Among its responsibilities, as per Section 6 (8) of the Act, in respect of the MTBPS, the Committee is required to consider and report on the following issues: