The day in Parliament

Press, 16 August 1985, Page 4

The day in Parliament

PA Wellington The Acting Leader of the House, Mr Hunt, outlined next week’s business in Parliament when yesterday’s sitting began at 2 p.m. The Opposition will have the opportunity to give a one-hour response to the financial statement on taxation and benefit reform after it is presented on Tuesday evening, he said. The general debate, usually held on Wednesday afternoons, would be transferred to the 3 -hour evening session on Wednesday. Legislation covering the goods and services tax will be introduced on Thursday. The annual reports of the National Housing Commission and the Terawhiti Licensing Trust were tabled. Ministers answered five questions of the day and 14 questions on notice.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Moyle, moved the introduction of the Meat Amendment Bill.

The Opposition spokesman on agriculture, Mr lan McLean (Nat., Tarawera), moved an amendment seeking to delay the bill’s introduction for two years. The amendment was lost, 34-45. After a further division, the bill was introduced and referred to the Primary Production Select Committee.

Members then began debating the estimates of the Prime Minister’s Department. The debate was interrupted when the House adjourned for dinner at 5.30 p.m.

The debate continued when the House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Members then voted to approve the estimates of the Security Intelligence Service without debate, and began debate on the estimates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This was interrupted when the House rose at 10.56 p.m.