Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr Deputy President, I wish to reiterate that the Tibetans are not seeking independence or separation; they are looking for genuine autonomy which is compatible with the principles of autonomy in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China. The Tibetan nationality lives in one contiguous area on the Tibetan plateau. They have lived there for years and are therefore indigenous. The main aim is to preserve culture and language. I have the Memorandum of Understanding which I would like to forward to you.
I would like to go on to the second part of the question posed to you in the spirit of ubuntu, sir. The Dalai Lama was denied a visa in 2008 when he was requested to attend a meeting of the Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Will you, sir, assure this House that he will be granted a visa should he wish to visit this country at any time - perhaps next year when the City of Cape Town offers him the key of freedom to the city?