Question no
DATE SUBMITTED: 29 July 2008
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- Bu səhifədəki naviqasiya:
- REPLY: Communications between the President and other world leaders are not, and should not, be the subject of public disclosure and discourse. QUESTION 988
- NW1725E REPLY
- QUESTION NO. 989 (Internal Question Paper No 18 – 2008) Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government
- ANSWER (a) According to information collected by the dplg
- Province Municipality Period of Vacancy Eastern Cape
- QUESTION NO. 991 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
- QUESTION NO 992 DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 JUNE 2008 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 18/2008)
- NW1729E REPLY: I have never said that I had reports or prior knowledge of possible community violence regarding foreigners. QUESTION 993
- MOULANA M R SAYEDALI SHAH (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE
- QUESTION 996 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
- QUESTION NO 997 DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 JUNE 2008 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 18/2008)
- NW1735E REPLY
- Draft reply to question 997 approved by Minister. EXPLANATORY NOTE TO MEMBER
- QUESTION NUMBER 999 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 jUNE 2008 Dr S M van Dyk (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance
- N1737E REPLY
- Question 1000 Dr S M van Dyk (DA) to ask the Minister for Public Enterprises:†
- Reply: (1) (a-e)
DATE SUBMITTED: 29 July 2008Mr A J Leon (DA) to ask the President of the Republic: (1) Whether he wrote a letter to President George W Bush regarding Zimbabwe; if so, (a) when was the letter sent, (b) what was the purpose of the letter and (c) what was the contents of the letter; (2) whether he will release the full contents of this letter to the public; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1722E
REPLY: Communications between the President and other world leaders are not, and should not, be the subject of public disclosure and discourse. QUESTION 988 DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 20 JUNE 2008 [IQP N 18 -2008] Question 988 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Mr. G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs: Whether the Department of Agriculture will replace the Animals Protection Act, Act 71 of 1962, with a new piece of animal care legislation; if not, why not; if so, (a) when the new legislation will be submitted to (i) Cabinet for approval and (ii) Parliament, (b) what are the main reasons for the need for new legislation (c) which stakeholders were consulted in the drafting of the (i) policy document that informs this legislation (ii) actual proposed legislation and (d) what was the nature of the consultation in each case? NW1725E
This replacement would depend on the policy process. (a) The policy has not been published for consultation as it is still being subjected to internal processing. (b) To consolidate the existing legislation in one Animal care and protection Act and to establish a pro active approach that can ensure that owners and keepers of animals are aware of their responsibilities. (c)The policy has not been published for consultation and comments as yet. (d)The policy has not been published for public consultation as yet. QUESTION NO. 989 (Internal Question Paper No 18 – 2008) Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
ANSWER
(b) In some municipalities the positions have been vacant for more than two years, while in other municipalities the positions have been vacant for a period which is between 1 and 16 months. (c) (i) & (ii) The department has requested the Provincial Departments of Local Government to provide the required information. (2) The analysis of the 2007/08 budgets indicates that CFO positions existed and have been budgeted for. The engagement process with the provinces will result in the production of the CFOs vacancy report for the quarter ending September 2008, which will include target dates for the filling of the vacancies per municipality.
During July-Sept 2007, the vacancy rate was 17%, Oct-Dec 2007, was 19%, Jan-March 2008, was 18%, and April-June 2008, was 12%. On average there has been a 6% decrease in the vacancy rate in CFO positions in municipalities. QUESTION NO. 991 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTIONS PAPER: 13 /06/08 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.18 -2008) NW1728E
REPLY: (1) Outbreaks of the unfortunate violence we have recently witnessed are extremely difficult to predict, other than in a general sense of noting and identifying socio-economic problems. The intelligence community has been studying the issue of migration in our country in the context of border security and social stability for several years. The risks relating to border integrity, service delivery and foreign nationals were identified and covered in various intelligence reports and analysis provided. However the recent outbreak was not predicted at all, whether in terms of time, place or magnitude. I have indicated to the media that whilst some element of organisation in the attacks has been detected the violence was characterised by a high level of spontaneity. Such violence is difficult to predict as is a sudden hail-storm. The majority of intelligence reports were of a strategic nature identifying the trends that link migration to economic pull factors making South Africa an attractive destination, and postulating an integrated analysis of the phenomenon rather than being able to provide any form of tactical warning. Whilst NIA pointed to the growing tension and the possibilities of violence, it did not ever predict in its reports that the outbreak of the attacks would occur in May 2008 or any specific time or that the phenomenon would reach the intensity that it did. The reports contained recommendations to law enforcement agencies that the situation be monitored constantly and this was the case. Other concerns relating directly to service delivery were referred to line-functional state departments over time. Such challenges concerning migration, border security and the pressures on service delivery and law enforcement have preoccupied government at Cabinet and departmental levels over many years. (2) The intelligence services and law enforcement agencies were consistently tasked to monitor the situation. An Inter-Ministerial Task Team was established by Cabinet in May 2008 as part of the implementation of recommendations made by Intelligence to Cabinet. The work of this team is underway and periodic reports on its progress are released to the media as and when necessary. I would like to state that the intelligence services have been instructed to assess whatever shortcomings may have been revealed and to improve their ability to forewarn if possible on the social eruptions we have witnessed particularly where organised elements might have been involved. The member should bear in mind however, that in our democracy our intelligence services are primary geared to counter threats of espionage terrorism and subversion, threats to our constitution and to our security, and not areas of social dysfunction arising out of socio-economic problems. However, it does have to be conceded that where there might be a breakdown of social cohesion, a threat can emerge that challenges our country’s peace and stability. In this respect we need to be better prepared. (3) No, it was not possible to provide the President or Cabinet with the specific forewarning of the possible outbreak of the May violence. Since the intelligence provided was of a strategic rather than an operational nature, the violent outbreaks in specific areas could not be predicted. QUESTION NO 992 DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 JUNE 2008 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 18/2008) Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Safety and Security: (1) Whether, with regard to recent government reports warning of possible violence in communities relating to foreigners and/or other factors, he received any such notice in the form of a report or briefing; if not, on what basis has he been reported in the media as having stated that the Government had prior knowledge of such possible community violence; if so, what was the (a) content and (b) recommendations contained therein; (2) whether he or any representative appointed by him took any steps to act on those recommendations; if not, why not, why not; if so, what steps; (3) whether the President was notified of this information, either in the form of a verbal exchange, notice, report or briefing; if not, why not; if so, (a) where did this take place and (b) what are the further relevant details? NW1729E REPLY: I have never said that I had reports or prior knowledge of possible community violence regarding foreigners. QUESTION 993 WRITTEN REPLY DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 13 JUNE 2008 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.: 18-2008 MOULANA M R SAYEDALI SHAH (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE
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QUESTION 996 FOR WRITTEN REPLY Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 June 2008 Internal question paper no: 18 996. Mr E W Trent (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development: (1) Whether his department has taken any steps to ensure that all the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, and the Division of Revenue Act, Act 2 of 2008, have been complied with during the 2007-08 financial year in respect of the transfer of conditional grants to (a) the provinces, (b) municipalities and (c) any other entities reporting to his department; if not, in each case, (2) whether any action has been taken in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the relevant details and (b) amounts are involved? NW1734E
(1) The Department of Social Development has not administered any conditional grant programme during the 2007/08 financial year. Regarding other transfers to entities reporting to it, the Department compiled fully with the provisions of the PFMA. (2) This question then falls away.
(i) 47 recommendations have been followed; (ii) 64 recommendations have not been followed or acted upon; (iii) The decision on 93 recommendations are still outstanding. (bb) On the 451 recommendations made in respect of criminal offences: (i) 78 recommendations have been followed; (ii) 192 recommendations were not followed; (iii) The decision on 181 recommendations are still pending. (cc) On the 618 recommendations made in respect of misconduct: (i) 137 recommendations were followed; (ii) 255 recommendations were not followed; (iii) The decision on 266 recommendations are still outstanding. (b) The details of the cases would be common depending on the class of the complaint in respect of deaths(Class 1), the police member involved, would be charged for their role in the death of an individual as far as his/her actions violated the discipline regulations of the South African Police Service (SAPS) or Standing Orders. The same scenario would apply in respect of criminal offences while with misconduct the police member would be charged for a direct violation of SAPS Disciplinary Code or Standing Order, which action does not flow from any criminal action. Draft reply to question 997 approved by Minister. EXPLANATORY NOTE TO MEMBER The information provided in answering the question is correct. The calculation that the question was based on was incorrect. The actual total should have been 1273 and not 1334 as in the slide of the presentation that was presented in Parliament, which Question 997 was based on. So the figures are correct but the final figure of 1334 is wrong as it should have been 1273. QUESTION NUMBER 999 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 jUNE 2008 Dr S M van Dyk (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance: (1) Whether the Treasury, in light of the rising international oil price and resultant to higher local diesel price and inflation, will abolish or lower the fuel levy on diesel for agricultural purposes; if not, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the Treasury is considering subsidies for agricultural production in order to increase local food production; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the Treasury will increase import tariffs on maize and wheat so that local production may expand in order to increase the local food supply to establish lower food prices; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether the Treasury, apart from these products which have already been issued, will exempt any basic processed food products from VAT in order to stimulate the demand for them and their production; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant N1737E REPLY: (1) No. The price of fuel is largely driven by the international crude oil price and the rand-dollar exchange rate i.e. exogenous factors. The tax on fuel in South Africa is a specific tax that is fixed for the year and is relatively low compared to those in many developed and developing countries. The primary sector including the agricultural, fishing and mining sectors benefit from the diesel fuel tax rebate scheme. These sectors qualify for a rebate which is equal to the entire Road Accident Fund levy and 40 per cent of the general fuel levy. This rebate amounts to 90.9 cents per litre on 80 percent of the total diesel purchases. Furthermore, any reduction in the fuel levy may also require compensating measures to make up for the revenue lost, by increasing other taxes such as personal income tax, corporate income tax or VAT. The world, including South Africa, is facing a daunting challenge of changing energy consumption behaviour, improving energy efficiency and addressing environmental concerns. There are long term gains to move our economy to a more fuel-efficient growth path, which fuel taxes help to achieve. (2) No. However, in light of the current high food prices the case for subsidies is not very convincing. What is important is that we should step up our efforts to increase agriculture production and productivity. As mentioned in the reply to question 1 the agriculture sector does benefit from the diesel fuel tax rebate scheme, an indirect subsidy. Farm feeds, fertilisers, seeds and plants are zero-rated for VAT purposes, which provide a cash flow benefit to the agricultural sector. (3) No, this is not an appropriate intervention. It should however be noted that it is the Departments of Trade and Industry and Agriculture that would need to consider proposals in this regard. The current high food prices do not support the case for higher import tariffs. There might actually be a case for a (temporary) reduction of such import duties. (4) The National Treasury has considered the request to zero-rate other basic foodstuffs (including processed food products) but has not found compelling empirical evidence and equity reasons to do so. It should be noted that nineteen basic foodstuffs are already zero-rated. Although these nineteen food items were selected to ensure that the poor benefit from such concessions, there is evidence that some of these benefits have been captured by producers and suppliers. While some of the benefits have been passed to the final consumer, the data suggests that wealthier households benefit more in absolute terms. I addition, given the price and income elasticity of basic food products it is unlikely that the exemption or zero-rating thereof would translates into a significant increased demand for these products. Question 1000 Dr S M van Dyk (DA) to ask the Minister for Public Enterprises:† (1) (a) What financial losses did the SA Airways (SAA) present in the 2007-08 financial year, (b) how much cash did the SAA have in the bank on 1 June 2008,(c) what is the assets-to-debt ratio of the SAA as expressed in monetary value and other assets, (d) what is the rand value of the guarantees still at the SAA’s disposal and which the Treasury has allocated as part of the its assets and (e)what (i) is the rand value and (ii) are the details of bonuses of any kind paid out to management and board of directors of the SAA in the 2007-08 financial year;
Reply: (1) (a-e) South African Airways (SAA) financial results for 2007/08 will be presented to the SAA Board of Directors in mid-July, after which they will be made public. (2) (a) SAA has not dismissed any pilots in the said period. (b) Dismissals cannot be predicted as they occur on a case to case basis. (c-d) Responses provided above ( part 2(b) of the question). 1 All firearm licence applications received for the period 2004 2007 have been fully processed on the Enhanced Firearms Register System. Contributory factors such as outstanding documentation from applicants, safe inspections, availability of applicants for safe inspections result in a situation where a final decision could not be made on the outstanding applications during that specific year. As the outstanding information is received, the applications are considered and finalized. Yüklə 3,8 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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