NATIONAL ASSEMBLY  

QUESTION NO. 300

FOR WRITTEN REPLY  

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 25 JUNE 2004

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 6-2004)

                                                                                                                        N337E  

Adv PS Swart (DA) to ask the Minister for Intelligence:  

What was the total cost to his department of any publicity, promotions or

information displays and entertainment of members of Parliament, media or public servants to mark the occasion of his budget speech in both the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces in 2004, (b) What were the specific costs related to (i) promotional items and printed matter, (ii) audio-visual materials and/or displays, (iii) hiring of equipment and personnel, (iv) transport, (v) venue hire, (vi) food and drinks, (vii) music and/or other entertainment and (viii) any other specified costs and (c) in what way did this expenditure improve service delivery by his department?

REPLY:

The amount used                                         :   R91  122.24

The specific costs related to:

Promotional items and printed matter             :   R04 504.14

(ii) Audio-visual materials and/or display         :   R00 524 .00

(iii) Hiring of equipment and personnel           :   R00 000.00               

(iv) Transport & Accommodation                   :    R65 500.00

(v) Venue hire                                              :    R00 000.00

(vi) Food and drinks                                      :    R17 093.10

(vii) Music and/or other entertainment and       :    R00 000.00

(viii) Any other specified costs (S & T)             :    R03 501.00

Grand Total                                                :   R91 122.24

The Budget Vote Debate serves as a platform for providing policy direction and priorities for different Ministries and Departments. Since this was my maiden Budget Speech as Minister for Intelligence Services and there were a number of policy positions that I was going to announce as part of my vision and mission the attendance of Ministry and Departmental personnel was crucial and consequently two-thirds of expenditure related to item b (iv) to ensure the presence of the senior management from Pretoria and the Provinces. Reference to my budget speech will illustrate its importance and relevance to my senior management. Their presence in Cape Town gave them the opportunity to witness the debate and interact with the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, other members of Parliament and role-players at the cocktail event afterwards. Their presence in Cape Town enabled me to have a lengthy work session on the day after the event. The expenditure involved in the occasion clearly added great value in imparting policy directives and sensitizing all role-players, not only management, to the direction my Ministry and Services are taking in the immediate and long term.