Questions For Oral Answer - Thursday, 21 February 2008
Questions to Ministers
1. PETER BROWN to the Minister of Immigration: What is the New Zealand Immigration Service’s definition of “good
character”?
2. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by her response to oral question No. 1 on 20 February that
Mike Williams, President of the New Zealand Labour Party, had talked to her about the possible appointment of Owen Glenn
as New Zealand’s honorary consul to Monaco; if so, what were the details of the conversation?
3. LESLEY SOPER to the Minister of Agriculture: Has he received any further reports regarding the restructuring of the
meat industry?
4. Hon TONY RYALL to the Minister of Health: Does he agree with Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson who said
that the report on sentinel events “probably underestimated” the true number of events, and why?
5. KEITH LOCKE to the Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control: Does he stand by his statement that this week’s
conference on cluster bombs will make an “important contribution to achieving an ambitious vision of a ban on cluster
munitions”; if so, is he confident that all Government policy supports this goal?
6. SIMON POWER to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by her statement that “The pre-trial bail system must balance
two competing considerations: the defendant’s right to be considered innocent until proved guilty, and the safety of the
community.”?
7. DIANNE YATES to the Minister of Education: What reports has he received about ways to ensure a good start for all
young people?
8. Hon TONY RYALL to the Minister of Health: What are the reasons why he is threatening to dismiss the Hawke’s Bay
District Health Board and replace it with a commissioner?
9. LYNNE PILLAY to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Why is the Government introducing a new funding
model for community groups delivering essential social services?
10. BOB CLARKSON to the Minister for Building and Construction: Is the taxpayer getting value for money from the
Government’s initiatives to fix the leaky homes problem?
11. Dr PITA SHARPLES to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What is the process that the Government undertakes to respond
to the inquiry from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights while Countering Terrorism, an inquiry which
is related to the Government’s conduct during the 15 October 2007 raids?
12. PHIL HEATLEY to the Minister for Land Information: What progress has been made in reviewing public land holdings in
Auckland to identify what new land “might be made available for significant housing developments”, and what work still
needs to be done?
ENDS