If I may, Madam Deputy Speaker: The only thing we will do, which we must do, is accept your ruling. But every time a Minister is not here, we must place it on record as it is for the sake of history. People who are appointed to the executive must understand that they are accountable to the citizens and when that must happen, they must be here. [Applause.] The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY - PERFORMANCE MONITORING, EVALUATION AND ADMINISTRATION: Hon Deputy Speaker, I think we should acknowledge that the fact is, one, that most of the Ministers are not here; two, that there are those who are overseas, which has been indicated; three, that there is also a visit by the vice president of China and there was a binational commission today. Some of them might be there; I am not sure.
We would like to apologise on behalf of those Ministers. Let us allow the House to proceed on the basis of the ruling which you have made. We accept the points that have been raised by the opposition. Thank you. [Applause.]