Tuesday, 18 March 2003

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS

1. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Prime Minister: In light of her statements regarding an invasion of Iraq, “I think it’s a very bad precedent to go in without explicit sanction from the UN”, and that she believed some of New Zealand’s “best friends” were wrong, is it her Government’s official position that an invasion of Iraq by New Zealand’s traditional allies and friends is illegal?

2. GRAHAM KELLY to the Prime Minister: What is New Zealand’s assessment of the state of the diplomatic process with respect to the situation in Iraq?

3. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: On how many occasions has the Intelligence and Security Committee met since the last election and does the frequency of such meetings since 27 July 2002 reflect her Government’s idea of consultation with Parliament?

4. RODNEY HIDE to the Minister of Maori Affairs: Does he believe Mr Trevor Moeke’s assurances that Te Mangai Paho were not aware until yesterday that Mr Tame Te Rangi had been convicted and sentenced to five months imprisonment for stealing nearly $40,000 from Te Runanga O Ngati-whatua, and in light of Mr Moeke’s claims, does he remain “more than happy with Te Mangai Paho’s handling of this situation”?

5. MARTIN GALLAGHER to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade: What actions have been taken to safeguard New Zealanders in the Middle East against the possible consequences of conflict in the region?

6. Hon TONY RYALL to the Minister of Justice: In light of his comments in 1995 that “Those Ministers, through their failure to act when warned about Mr Ryder … must bear responsibility for the appalling sequence of events that led to Mr Barry Ryder’s conviction …”; what action, if any, did he take to ensure the public’s protection when he became aware that Mr Ryder was soon to be paroled?

7. Hon MATT ROBSON to the Associate Minister of Health: Has he received any reports on action being taken to reclassify methamphetamine as a class A drug?

8. Hon MURRAY McCULLY to the Associate Minister of Justice: In light of her description of the former Race Relations Conciliator, Mr Gregory Fortuin, as unwise and inappropriate when he involved himself in the affairs of the Alliance Party, does she agree that the same description applies to the actions of the current Race Relations Commissioner, Mr Joris De Bres, who communicated with selected politicians and political parties in relation to his “Taleban” speech; if not, why not?

9. STEVE CHADWICK to the Minister of Health: What advice has she received regarding the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome?

10. SIMON POWER to the Minister of Youth Affairs: When was he first advised of the proposed merger between the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and what opportunity, if any, did he have to contribute to that decision-making process?

11. PAUL ADAMS to the Minister of Labour: What progress has been made on the review of the Employment Relations Act 2000?

12. KEITH LOCKE to the Minister of Defence: If the United States attacks Iraq, will the Government end that part of the frigate Te Mana’s mission which involves escorting United States vessels through the Strait of Hormuz; if not, why not?

ENDS

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