The day in Parliament

Press, 13 December 1985, Page 4

The day in Parliament

The Speaker, Dr Wall, clarified a ruling concerning the validity of a vote taken last week while one of the doors to the chamber was unlocked; when Parliament sat at 2 p.m.' yesterday. The Leader of the House, Mr Palmer, said the Government did not expect that it would be necessary for Parliament to sit next week. The House would be prorogued to February 26 for an opening of Parliament by the Queen, he said. The member for Waikaremoana, Mr R. N. McClay (Nat.), presented the petition of J. L. Thompson and 94 others in the Rangitikei district urging the Government that it continue to provide free bus services for country children. The report of the Tourist Hotel Corporation and the second report of the Controller and Auditor-General were tabled. Ministers answered 18 questions. The Minister of Finance, Mr Douglas, then made an economic statement The Leader of the Opposition, Mr McLay, commented on the statement as did the Opposition spokesman on agriculture, Mr lan McLean, and the Democratic Party deputy leader, Mr G. T. Knapp. The chairman of the Communications and Road Safety Select Committee, Mr W. P. Jeffries, reported on the retesting of drivers 70 years and over and on a proposal to allow cycling on the footpath. The reports were laid on the table.

Mr Palmer presented the report of the Privileges. Committee concerning a-'jEeport

published in “Truth” newspaper. He moved that the Speaker formally write to the editor and reporter involved and formally reprimand them. Mr Palmer then moved that urgency be taken for the passing through their remaining stages of five Government bills, the introduction of Government bills, the passing through their remaining stages of two local bills, and proceedings related to the conclusion of the session to allow the House to rise for the Christ; mas recess. The motion was approved by voice vote. The Health Service Personnel Amendment Bill passed its committee stages, where it was split into the Health Service Personnel Amendment Bill and the Area Health Boards Amendment Bill. Both bills were given a third reading. The Statutes Amendment Bill (No. 2) passed its second reading and its committee stages, where it was split into 71 bills.

The 71 bills were given a third reading. The State Services Amendment Bill (No. 2) passed its second reading, committee and third reading stages without amendment.

Debate then began on the second reading of the Defence Amendment Bill.

The debate was adjourned when the House adjourned for dinner at 5.30 pjn.

When the House resumed after dinner at 7.30 p.m., the Defence Amendment Bill passed its second reading, committee and third reading stages.

■Die Armed Forces Discipline Amendment Bill was given a second reading. The bill passed its committee stages after being split into two bills and which were then

given third readings. The Minister of Broadcasting, Mr Hunt, moved the introduction of the Income Tax Amendment Bill (No. 7). The Income Tax Amendment Bill (No. 7) was introduced and referred to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Tapsell, then introduced the Video Recordings Bill. It was referred to the Internal Affairs and Local Government Committee.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Moyle, moved the introduction of the New Zealand Horticulture Export Authority Bill. The bill was introduced and referred to the Primary Production Committee.

The House then took urgency on the remaining stages of the Auckland Aotea Centre Empowering Bill and the Mount Smart Regional Recreation Centre Bill and proceedings relating to the conclusion of the session, including the moving of a motion holding over business and an adjournment motion.

Members then resumed the interrupted second reading debate on the Auckland Aotea Centre Empowering Bill. It was given a second reading. Debate then began on the second reading of the Mount Smart Regional Recreation Centre Bill. It was given a second reading. The House then began debating the committee stages of the Auckland Aotea Centre Empowering Bill and the Mount Smart Regional Recreation Centre Bill.

They were passed through their committee and third reading stages. The Leader of the House, Mr Palmer, moved that a list of bills now before the House be forward to the new

session next year. An amendment by Mr G. E. Lee (Nat., Hauraki) to delete the Homosexual Law Reform Bill from the list was defeated, 56-17, and the original motion was passed. The House then rose, at 11.55 p.m.