Thursday, 20 February 2003

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS

1. LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN to the Minister of Transport: What reports has he received on the road toll for 2002?

2. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: What is the timeframe to settle all Treaty claims in line with the Government’s stated priorities at the last election?

3. ROD DONALD to the Minister for Trade Negotiations: Will the Government give the House the opportunity to debate the offer it intends making under the General Agreement on Trade in Services before it presents it to World Trade Organisation members in March; if not, why not?

4. Dr LYNDA SCOTT to the Minister of Health: Is the reason that the three Auckland district health boards refuse to settle the pharmacy contract and pay pharmacists the same rate as 15 other district health boards because of the financial crisis the Auckland district health boards are facing with a combined projected deficit of over $100 million and her instructions to them to get rid of their deficits; if not, what is the reason?

5. GEORGINA BEYER to the Minister of Social Services and Employment: What recent reports has he received on Department of Work and Income employment placements?

6. RODNEY HIDE to the Minister for Economic Development: Why was the House told on his behalf on 28 March last year when questioned about Sovereign yachts that “In 8 weeks, construction will begin on a second boat,” and does he stand by the statement then that “This is a real success story, which is only beginning to unfold.” given that the New Zealand Herald reported on 18 February this year that construction still hasn’t started on the second boat because of “some dispute about freight charges”?

7. METIRIA TUREI to the Associate Minister of Education (Special Education): In light of the Court of Appeal decision Attorney-General v Daniels issued yesterday that the then Minister of Education acted unlawfully when in 1998 he disestablished special needs classes, units and services, does she agree that the money spent on the appeal and preceding cases would have been better spent on direct funding for special needs children than on litigation; if not, why not?

8. PHIL HEATLEY to the Minister of Social Services and Employment: Following Police confirmation that Te Hau Ora O Te Tai Tokerau Trust did invest $100,000 of taxpayer and Department of Child, Youth and Family Services money in a fraudulent investment scheme, did purchase $20,000 worth of gym equipment from a key executive’s son and did spend nearly $25,000 on an unapproved overseas trip, what accountability will the department be seeking from the Trust, and will it recover any money from the Trust?

9. LARRY BALDOCK to the Minister of Justice: Is he concerned that New Zealand may be in violation of its international commitments to uphold human rights if the Prostitution Reform Bill is passed; if not, why not?

10. PETER BROWN to the Minister of Commerce: Does she have confidence in the recommendations of the Commerce Commission contained in its final report on its inquiry into airfield activities; if not, why not?

11. HELEN DUNCAN to the Minister for ACC: What recent reports has she received on workplace injury rates?

12. Hon Dr NICK SMITH to the Minister of Education: Why was only one of the five young offenders convicted on the murder or manslaughter of Michael Choy on Thursday 13 September 2001 enrolled in a mainstream school and attending regularly?

QUESTIONS TO MEMBERS

1. Hon RICHARD PREBBLE to the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee: Has a committee meeting been set to consider the petition of Kenneth Wang and others requesting a review of the new English Language immigration tests?

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