New Acting P.M.

Press, 23 September 1980, Page 1

New Acting P.M.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Maclntyre) will take over as Acting Prime Minister when the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Taiboys) goes to Iraq and Europe later this month. Mr Taiboys, who is Acting Prime Minister in the absence of Mr Muldoon, was asked by reporters last evening if Mr MacIntyre’s involvement in the Fitzgerald Lands board loan controversy would create difficulties. Mr Taiboys said there had heen some discussion In the Cabinet yesterday about Mr Maclntyre’s taking over. “But the decision was taken that I shorn go on September 30,” Mr Talboys said. Ra. ' .d No. 3 in the Cabinet, Mr Maclntyre becomes Acting Prime Minister when both Mr Taiboys and Mr Muldoon are overseas.

Recently Mr Maclntyre has been drawn into the controversy surrounding the Marginal Lands Board loan to his daughter, Mrs Audrey Fitzgerald, and her husband. Asked last evening, however, if he saw any difficulty about this, Mr Taiboys replied: “No, I don’t imagine there will be any difficulty at all.” Mr Taiboys is expected to be overseas until late in Octobc". He is due to sign a trade agreement with the Iraqi Government before going to Euri ope where he wants to meet as many of the E.E.C.’s Agriculture Ministers as possible to discuss New Zealand’s lamb trade and post-1980 butter arrangements. Mr Muldoon is due home on October 14.