PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki took his commitment to answering questions in Parliament seriously and attempts were still being made to find a suitable date for this term, the Presidency said on Thursday. Presidential representative Bheki Khumalo was responding to criticism by the Democratic Alliance that Mbeki was neglecting his duties towards the lawmaking body. The DA said it was unacceptable that Mbeki would not appear in Parliament this term to answer questions, which according to the institution’s interim rules should occur quarterly. If it was not possible a date early in the second term would be found, Khumalo said. Because of pressing national and international engagements, it had been difficult to find a date for this term — which ends on March 21. Khumalo said Mbeki would appear in Parliament at least three times this year. – Sapa