Reporter before committee

Press, 5 October 1985, Page 12

Reporter before committee

PA Wellington The political reporter of the “New Zealand Times,” Roger Foley, has appeared before Parliament’s Privileges Committee to answer an allegation of a breach of privilege referred to the committee by the Speaker, Dr Gerard Wall.

Foley’s article on disarmament and arms control on September 8 revealed information which was apparently to be put before Parliament’s Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on September 11.

The editor of the “New Zealand Times,” Mr Bob Fox, appeared before the Privileges Committee with Foley. They were represented by Dr George Barton.

The Privileges Committee comprised the Prime Minister, Mr Lange; the Post-master-General, Mr Hunt;

the Minister of Energy, Mr Tizard; Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bolger; and the Opposition member for Franklin, Mr Bill Birch. Dr Barton said Foley believed the document on which he based his September 8 article was a draft which had not been before the committee.

He said neither Foley nor Mr Fox was aware that the document or the material in it constituted select committee “proceedings”. “If, however, this committee should hold that there has been a breach of privilege both of them express their regret for what has occured and proffer their apologies to the House,” Dr Barton said.

Mr Hunt, who chaired the meeting, said the committee (which has wide-ranging powers) would report its findings back to Parliament during the next fortnight.;