Thursday, 22 May 2003

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS

1. Hon PETER DUNNE to the Minister for Trade Negotiations: Is he optimistic about New Zealand’s chances of securing a free trade agreement with the United States in the near future, particularly in light of United States Trade Representative Robert Zoellick’s comment that “There’s been some things done recently that would make (a free trade agreement) harder to carry”, and does he think this comment is a reference to the Prime Minister’s stance on Iraq; if not, why not?

2. PETER BROWN to the Prime Minister: Does she have confidence in the Minister of Internal Affairs; if so, why?

3. TIM BARNETT to the Minister of Defence: What progress has there been made on the acquisition of new ships for the New Zealand Defence Force?

4. SUE KEDGLEY to the Minister for Food Safety: Can the Minister reassure New Zealand consumers that no beef fat products imported from Canada have entered the food chain in New Zealand; if not, why not?

5. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Minister for Trade Negotiations: Does he believe that the statement made by United States Trade Representative Robert Zoellick in relation to New Zealand, that “There’s been some things done recently that would make (a free trade agreement) harder to carry” to the United States House of Representatives, was a reference to the Prime Minister’s comments about the United States Presidency and the war in Iraq; if not, why not?

6. DIANNE YATES to the Minister of Statistics: What progress has been made towards determining the content of the 2006 census?

7. RON MARK to the Minister of Police: What initiatives, if any, is he contemplating to deal with the increasing rate of Asian crime?

8. Hon ROGER SOWRY to the Prime Minister: When the Hon Margaret Wilson, on her behalf, said yesterday that “the Government will consider the report and the recommendations from the tribunal”, does this mean that the Government may still accept a claim by Maori for compensation regarding petroleum; if not, why did she make this statement?

9. KEITH LOCKE to the Prime Minister: What steps has she taken to seek an end to hostilities in Aceh, as the stated position of her Government is to see the Indonesian Government and the Aceh independence movement return to negotiations?

10. RODNEY HIDE to the Minister of Maori Affairs: Does he accept full responsibility for his replies to questions in the House and for the actions of his officials; if not, why not?

11. Dr LYNDA SCOTT to the Minister of Health: Does she agree with PHARMAC’s press release, on the change from one monthly to three monthly dispensing of medicines by pharmacists, that the proposal “has the full support of all District Health Boards”; if so, why?

12. CLAYTON COSGROVE to the Associate Minister of Agriculture: What support is the Government giving the agriculture and horticulture industries in developing an Ag/Hort Human Capability Strategy?

QUESTIONS TO MEMBERS

1. Hon RICHARD PREBBLE to the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee: Will the committee sit during the upcoming adjournment in order to hear petitions waiting for a hearing, including that of Kenneth Wang, concerning the Government immigration changes; if not, why not?

2. Hon RICHARD PREBBLE to the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee: Will the committee either set down the petition of Kenneth Wang and others regarding the imposition of English language tests or seek to refer the petition to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee or any other committee so that it can be heard?

© Scoop Media