M.P.’s joke at ’quake risk

Press, 1 October 1983, Page 9

M.P.’s joke at ’quake risk

PA Wellington A Government member of Parliament yesterday jokingly suggested that Parliament adjourn after members were told the building they were in was expected to pose a significant risk to life during a strong earthquake. The adjoining Beehive complex would suffer little damage, Parliament heard. The Minister of Works and Development, Mr Friedlander, replying to a question, said the original

Parliament Buildings, including the debating chamber, were expected to be a significant life risk during an earthquake of magnitude 8 or greater on the Richter scale.

Such an earthquake could be expected to cause some structural damage to weak buildings, a seismological spokesman said later. Mr Friedlander said that the return period for such earthquakes was 68 years. That implied there was a 15 per cent probability of such an event occurring in the next 10 years.

The new executive wing would suffer little damage in an even stronger earthquake such as magnitude 10. During such earthquakes most masonry and foundations would be destroyed, cement and asphalt would break up and railway lines would buckle. Mr Friedlander told laughing members that the average return period of magnitude 10 was 500 years.

The life risk in such an event would be negligible for those in the Beehive. He pointed out there were cracks near pillars surrounding the chamber. The Acting Government Senior Whip, Mr M. E. Cox (Manawatu), then suggested the House adjourn, much to ’the amusement of members.

The Speaker, Sir Richard Harrison, said he had the right to adjourn the House in event of grave disorder.