M.P.’s refused

Press, 14 May 1984, Page 9

M.P.’s refused

PA Auckland The Social Credit member of Parliament, Mr Garry Knapp, has been refused access to files on a senior Justice Department official alleged to have been at the centre of police and internal department inquiries. Mr Knapp (East Coast Bays), has been trying to get detailed information on allegations and resultant investigations of possible bribery and corruption which surfaced at the end of March. Involved is a senior departmental officer in Auckland who has applied to become a Justice of the Peace.

The official’s application is before the Minister of Justice, Mr McLay, who can

grant or veto anyone trying to become a J.P. Mr Knapp sought further details on the matter after claiming he had information from “confidential and reliable sources” that the official was under police and departmental investigation. His request under the Official Information Act for access to the official’s file was rejected by the Secretary for Justice, Mr S. J. Callahan, last week. The letter to Mr Knapp quoted two provisions under clause 9 of the act in refusing him access to the file.

One involves “interference with a person’s natural privacy.” The other is a more general provision relating to withholding information which could in-

hibit free and frank conversation between Ministers and their departmental officials. Mr Knapp also wanted to know whether the Minister would waive a rule which says serving court officers cannot become J.P.s, and allow the Auckland official’s application to go through. Mr McLay told Mr Knapp by letter that there had been only one (unnamed) exception to this rule, in 1981.

The Social Credit member of Parliament is not satisfied.

“I don’t intend to let the matter drop,” he said. He will put questions to Mr McLay when Parliament opens this month, seeking “clarification” of the matter.