House of Assembly: Vol13 - THURSDAY 20 APRIL 1989

THURSDAY, 20 APRIL 1989 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS

†Indicates translated version.

For written reply:

General Affairs:

Permits for exporting abalone 181. Mr C W EGLIN

asked the Minister of Environment Affairs:

  1. (1) Whether he will release the names and addresses of individuals and/or companies currently holding permits for the export of abalone; if not, why not; if so, what is the (a) name and (b) address of each such individual and/or company;
  2. (2) in respect of each such permit, (a) (i) when and (ii) for what mass of abalone was it issued and (b) what was the cost thereof to the individual or company;
  3. (3) whether any conditions are attached to any such permits; if so, what conditions in each case?

B418E

The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AFFAIRS:
  1. (1) No export permits for perlemoen are currently held by either individuals and/or companies. The applicable permits are only considered and issued on application for each consignment separately.
    1. (a) Fall away.
    2. (b) Fall away.
  2. (2)
    1. (a)
      1. (i) Fall away.
      2. (ii) Fall away.
    2. (b) Fall away.
  3. (3) Fall away.
South Africa: money invested in property 194. Mr C W EGLIN

asked the Minister of Finance:

(a) What total sum of money has been invested in property in South Africa by means of financial rand transactions since 12 September 1985 and (b) how much of this amount was in respect of (i) new and (ii) existing (aa) agricultural, (bb) commercial and (cc) residential property?

B462E

The MINISTER OF FINANCE:
  1. (a) The total amount approved for investment in property in South Africa through the medium of the financial rand mechanism since 12 September 1985, is R1,275 billion.
  2. (b) (i) and (ii). No separate statistics are available in respect of new against existing properties.
    The total amounts approved for investment in property through the medium of the financial rand mechanism during the period 12 September 1985 to 28 February 1989 are:
    1. (aa) Agricultural property — R 52 049 634
    2. (bb) Commercial property —R916 006 700
    3. (cc) Residential property — R306 673 073
Bushveld Regional Services Board: amount received 199. Mr D S PIENAAR

asked the Minister of Finance:†

What amount in revenue was received by the Bushveld Regional Services Council during the latest specified period of six months for which figures are available, from persons and bodies falling under the (a) White, (b) Coloured, (c) Indian and (d) Black population group?

B480E

The MINISTER OF FINANCE:

The registration of levy payers in the Bushveld regional services council area was finalised on 30 April 1988 and only new employers/enterprises are now required to register. The registration form RSC 1, generally used by regional services councils, makes no provision for the population group of either a levypayer or the owner of a levypaying institution to be stated. The records of levypayers of the Bushveld Regional Services Council thus do not distinguish between population groups and it is therefore not possible to allocate the income from levies on this basis.

Beef imported 263. Dr F HARTZENBERG

asked the Minister of Finance:†

Whether South Africa has imported any beef in recent years; if so, (a) how many tons, (b) from where was it imported, (c) what was its value, (d) on what date, and (e) why, in each case?

B571E

The MINISTER OF FINANCE:

Yes.

(a)

(c)

(d)

3 621 tons

R 8 367 370

1986

23 981 tons

R 64 949 973

1987

39 526

R155 376 730

1988 (Jan-Oct)

  1. (b) Particulars of countries from which goods are imported are for a number of reasons not made available. Should the honourable member so desire the information will be made available to him on a confidential basis.
  2. (e) Unknown by the Department of Finance. The reason why goods are imported is dealt with by other departments and is not required when goods are cleared for Customs purposes.
Income tax: companies and individuals 267. Mr H H SCHWARZ

asked the Minister of Finance:

What is the total amount of income tax assessed for the 1987-88 tax year in respect of (a) companies and (b) individuals?

B586E

The MINISTER OF FINANCE:

Amount

% Assessed

(a)

Companies:

Mining

R1 003 587 636

Non-mining

R1 264 251 869

Total

R2 267 839 505

32,23

(b)

Individuals:

R8 224 475 654

73,80

South West Africa/Namibia: persons held 323. Mrs H SUZMAN

asked the State President:

How many persons were being held in South West Africa/Namibia under Proclamation (a) AG26 and (b) AG9 as at 31 December 1988?

B666E

The STATE PRESIDENT:
  1. (a) None.
  2. (b) 5.
South West Africa/Namibia: persons in detention for more than 30 days 324. Mrs H SUZMAN

asked the State President:

How many persons who were being held under Proclamation AG9 in South West Africa/ Namibia in 1988 were in detention for more than 30 days?

B667E

The STATE PRESIDENT:

None.

Own Affairs:

Agricultural colleges: applications 47. Mr R J LORIMER

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Water Supply:

  1. (1) How many (a) White, (b) Coloured, (c) Indian and (d) Black students (i) applied for admission to and (ii) were enrolled at each specified agriculture college falling under the control of his Department in 1988;
  2. (2) whether any applications by suitably qualified persons for admission to agricultural colleges were turned down in 1988; if so, (a) how many, and (b) for what reasons, in each case in respect of each race group;
  3. (3) how many students in each race group (a) graduated from and (b) failed to complete the relevant diploma courses at each specified agricultural college in that year?

B604E

The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND WATER SUPPLY:

(1)

Agricultural College

(1) (a)

(1) (b)

(1) (c)

(1) (d)

(i)

(ii)

(i)

(ii)

(i)

(ii)

(i)

(ii)

Potchefstroom

145

95

0

0

0

0

83

0

Glen

118

76

0

0

0

0

23

0

Cedara

129

74

0

0

2

2*

109

0

Grootfontein

57

52

1

0

0

0

68

0

Elsenburg

200

100

4

0

0

0

10

0

TOTAL

649

397

5

0

2

2

293

0

*Not prospective farmers, but officials of the Department of Local Government, Housing and Agriculture in the Administration: House of Delegates.

  1. (2) Yes,
    1. (a) 252 Whites
      5 Coloureds
      293 Blacks
      No Indians
    2. (b) White students
      • Insufficient training facilities
      Coloured, Indian and Black students
      • Department responsible for the training of White farmers only.
  2. (3)

Agricultural College

(3) (b)

(3) (a)

Junior Students

Senior Students

Potchefstroom

46

34

1

Glen

55

22

2

Cedara

48

16*

2

Grootfontein

45

18

0

Elsenburg

72

32

12

TOTAL

266

122

17

Agricultural colleges: applications 48. Mr R J LORIMER

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Water Supply:

(a) How many (i) White, (ii) Coloured, (iii) Indian and (iv) Black students (aa) had applied for admission to and (bb) were enrolled at each specified agricultural college falling under the control of his Department as at the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) (i) what was the capacity of, and (ii) how many vacancies were there at, each such college as at that date?

B605E

The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND WATER SUPPLY:

Agricultural College

(a) (i)

(a) (ii)

(a) (iii)

(a) (iv)

(a) (aa)

(a) (bb)

(a) (aa)

(a) (bb)

(a) (aa)

(a) (bb)

(a) (aa)

(a) (bb)

(b) (i)

(b) (ii)

Potchefstroom

177

95

0

0

0

0

109

0

156

0

Glen

166

84

1

0

0

0

109

0

137

0

Cedara

150

79

0

0

3

2*

90

0

150

0

Grootfontein

98

68

0

0

0

0

80

0

110

0

Elsenburg

202

102

5

0

0

0

15

0

210

0

TOTAL

793

428

6

0

3

2

325

0

763

0

Figures as on 1 April 1989.

*Not prospective farmers, but officials of the Department of Local Government, Housing and Agriculture in the Administration: House of Delegates.

HOUSE OF DELEGATES INTERPELLATION

The sign * indicates a translation. The sign †, used subsequently in the same interpellation, indicates the original language.

General Affairs:

Reservation of Separate Amenities Act: repeal 1. Mr M RAJAB

asked the Minister of Constitutional Development and Planning:

Whether it is the intention of the Government to repeal the Reservation of Separate Amenities Act, No 49 of 1953?

D85E.INT

Mr M RAJAB:

Mr Chairman, by arrangement with the hon the Minister of Constitutional Development and Planning I withdraw the interpellation printed in my name on the Order Paper.

QUESTIONS

†Indicates translated version.

For oral reply:

General Affairs:

Questions transferred from Thursday, 6 April 1989:

SATS: Indian women in administrative posts *1. Mr K CHETTY

asked the Minister of Transport Affairs:

  1. (1) Whether the South African Transport Services employ any Indian women in administrative posts in Durban; if so, (a) how many and (b) in what ranks;
  2. (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

D42E

The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AFFAIRS:
  1. (1) Yes
    1. (a) Six
    2. (b) Manpower Consultant, Intern Psychologist, Senior Clerk and Clerk (Three).
  2. (2) No.
Mr K CHETTY:

Mr Chairman, arising out of the hon the Deputy Minister’s reply, I would like to know from him if his department intends increasing that number, and also if it intends creating more job opportunities for Indian women as has been done in the Transvaal.

The DEPUTY MINISTER:

Certainly. If there are vacancies and if the applicants comply with the requirements, we will certainly appoint them.

R K Khan Hospital: infant mortality *2. Mr K CHETTY

asked the Minister of National Health and Population Development:

  1. (1) How many infants under the age of one month died at the R K Khan Hospital during the latest specified period of five years for which figures are available;
  2. (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

D44E

The MINISTER OF NATIONAL HEALTH AND POPULATION DEVELOPMENT:

(1) Deaths of infants at R K Khan Hospital which occurred under one month of age:

Year

Deaths

Total Births

Deaths per 1 000 live births

1984

69

4 744

14,545

1985

57

4 838

11.781

1986

51

4 711

10,825

1987

60

4 071

14,738

1988

54

3 650

14,794

The average for the period in quesiton is 13,337 deaths per 1 000 live births;

(2) yes, these figures reflect largely the early neonatal mortality. Figures which represent deaths that occur within the first month of life, but after discharge from hospital are not available.

In comparison to World Health Organization figures, a perinatal mortality of 13 deaths per 1000 live births are acceptable.

Mr K CHETTY:

Mr Chairman, arising out of the hon the Minister’s reply, I would like to know if he agrees with me that there is a need for a neo-natal clinic at the R K Khan Hospital?

The MINISTER:

Mr Chairman, I believe there is always a need for neo-natal clinics in every large regional hospital because neo-natal diseases are of importance.

New question:

SAA: Indian males as air stewards *1. Mr K CHETTY

asked the Minister of Transport Affairs:

  1. (1) Whether the South African Airways (a) have appointed and/or (b) intend appointing Indian males as air stewards; if not, why not; if so, when;
  2. (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

D68E

The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AFFAIRS:
  1. (1)
    1. (a) No.
    2. (b) To date all applications were unsuccessful. Should a suitable candidate apply, and provided a vacancy exists, he will be appointed.
  2. (2) No.
Mr J VIYMAN:

Mr Chairman, arising out of the hon the Minister’s reply, I would like to say that stewards are usually known as waiters and wine stewards in hotel circles. Historically, Indians have excelled as wine stewards and waiters in hotels. Why are we then not suitable for the SAA?

The DEPUTY MINISTER:

Mr Chairman, I agree with the hon member that Indians have always been known to be very well equipped as stewards and they have normally done this sort of job. However, I want to point out to the hon member that these are applications to the SAA and there are many applications. Therefore it may appear to somebody that the Indians are not being appointed.

I can tell the hon member that there are hundreds of people belonging to the White group, the Coloured group and other groups who are also not appointed. The requirements are very, very stringent and depending on whether or not we have the vacancy and whether people are in a position to comply with the qualification that we require, we will certainly appoint them. People are appointed on merit. The Indians are not excluded as Indians. I want to give the hon member that assurance.

Rev E J MANIKKAM:

Mr Chairman, further arising out of the hon the Deputy Minister’s reply, if I heard him correctly he said “suitable” applications. Are we given to understand that there is not one suitable applicant from the Indian community? If I confine myself to members of the Indian community, from the more or less one million Indians who are resident in this country, is there not one suitable candidate?

We would like the hon the Deputy Minister to answer whether recognition is given to Indians who — as was pointed out by the hon member for Camperdown — excel as far as rendering that type of service is concerned, and when other allied industries ask for high qualifications when it comes to the type of service concerned.

The DEPUTY MINISTER:

Mr Chairman, again, the inference is that people are not appointed because there are no suitable Indians, or rather South Africans of Indian origin. May I point out to the hon member that we have just appointed a pilot who belongs to the Indian community. There is therefore no prejudice against the Indian population in South Africa. However, if the hon member would like to investigate the issue further or to put further questions as to why the applications have been refused, he is free to do so.

The information at my disposal is that to date all applications were unsuccessful, but that does not mean that in future there will not be a successful candidate. There could be and there probably will be, as I see the situation. I have therefore replied that should there be vacancies in the future and should suitable candidates apply, they will certainly get the job. We are not discriminating. We have stated this so often. We are not discriminating against South Africans of Indian origin on the basis of race or creed. In fact, this applies to all race groups in South Africa.

The MINISTER OF THE BUDGET:

Mr Chairman, further arising out of the hon the Deputy Minister’s reply, is he not aware that both in the domestic services as well in the international services there are stewardesses of colour? The question here is, however, why there are no males.

The DEPUTY MINISTER:

Mr Chairman, I am very glad that the hon the Minister has pointed that out to me, because the hon member’s question really only deals with the issue of males. I certainly hope that in time to come we will have suitable males to appoint.

Mr T PALAN:

Mr Chairman, further arising from the hon the Deputy Minister’s reply, I wonder — the question may not be pertinent, but as a matter of interest — whether the hon the Minister could tell us how many of these applicants were not successful, if he has such a record. Otherwise I will put the question in writing.

The DEPUTY MINISTER:

Mr Chairman, the hon member is free to do that. I do not have that record with me.

†Mr S ABRAM:

Mr Chairman, further arising from the hon the Deputy Minister’s reply, I would like to ask the following: He spoke of certain norms with which the applicants must comply. Is it possible for the hon the Deputy Minister to explain to us what the minimum qualifications and norms are?

†The DEPUTY MINISTER:

Mr Chairman, I should like to do that, but there is a whole series of norms and standards which are fixed by the Airways. If it should satisfy the hon member, I shall ask the Minister to furnish him with the answers.