Chair, hon Speaker, as you know, global financial pressures have added to domestic financial demands in every area, and Members of Parliament are acutely aware of the need to ensure that every cent spent must deliver. The objectives of Parliament have to be measured against demands for spending in other areas.
While the overall appropriation to Parliament shows an increase of R71,2 million, it is in fact a decrease of 0,26% in real terms. This decrease will necessitate stringent measures in some areas, but should not impact too negatively on Parliament's ability to strengthen its oversight function, as an additional R448,4 million has been allocated over the medium-term to accommodate additional capacity for the oversight function of committees, including researchers, content and language specialists. This is important because effective oversight will impact directly on service delivery. Improved service delivery must receive our focused attention.
Last year the ACDP was concerned that financial support to political parties represented in Parliament and constituency offices around the country showed a significant decrease. Given that constituency offices constitute the closest level of interaction between members and the public and provide the best platform from which members can get to grips with issues confronting their constituents, this was a blow for the people's Parliament. Members of Parliament are hugely constrained when parties receive budgets totally inadequate to pay market related salaries for researchers and other support staff. It is counterproductive, and it is not in the public's best interests. This year the Programme has seen an increase, in real terms, of 2,13%, which is encouraging. This will help ensure that the necessary tools and support services are provided to assist members in their constituency duties.
The tension between time spent on work done at Parliament and time allocated to members to work in constituencies, too often results in constituency time being sacrificed. Parliament must not be allowed to hijack members who should be in their constituencies more.
The ACDP notes with approval that the 2010 estimates of national expenditure indicate that Parliament intends to review its policies, particularly those dealing with communication, entertainment and travel to ensure efficiency in spending. Slight improvements have been noted regarding speaking time for smaller parties, but the ACDP would like to see Parliament take a closer look at comparative situations and the philosophy of speaking time allocation in general.
One good thing, at least from my point of view, is that the ANC has not been quite so boring of late as they attempt to fill up their exorbitant amount of speaking time, and the small concessions for opposition parties have produced more useful Budget debates.
The ACDP would like to thank the Speaker, all office bearers and staff of Parliament for their commitment and hard work. We will support this budget. Thank you. [Applause.]