After tea break, the House had to wait for 12 minutes before debate could start because of lack of quorum (21 out of 57 MPs). Just as the Deputy Speaker Gladys Kokorwe was about to adjourn the proceedings two MPs arrived to boost the numbers. Kokorwe, as she had done before, pleaded with MPs to respect time telling them that what they are doing is an embarrassment to the nation. She said that on several occasions, she has stopped proceedings because of lack on quorum. However, the MPs defended themselves saying cabinet minister and a certain group of MPs just come to the House to register for sitting allowance only to disappear thereafter. MP for Gaborone West South, Robert Molefhabangwe, suggested that the House should go back to the practice of debating on Friday afternoons so that MPs could feel obliged to attend.
However, MP for Tonota South, Pono Moatlhodi, felt that those who were not in the House were the Speaker's favourites. He said there are MPs who are always given the floor to debate before others and they thereafter leave the House to attend to their private matters. Kokorwe reminded him that he is always the first to be given a chance to debate. At this juncture, Kedikilwe intervened and suggested that Parliament should adopt the primary school system of 'please teacher may I go out' so that the Speaker could have a record of who was in and out of the House and for how long.
