Explanation accepted

Press, 30 August 1986, Page 8

Explanation accepted

PA Wellington Two Bellamys employees who caused a security scare when they were discovered on the balcony outside the Prime Minister’s Beehive office became trapped while inspecting the heating system, an inquiry has found. The employees’ explanations for their actions had been accepted, the acting general manager of the Parliamentary Service, Mr Jack Fenaughty, who conducted the inquiry, said yesterday. The employees were discovered on Mr Lange’s balcony after he met Senator Richard L-ugar,

chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee in his office on Wednesday. The incident prompted an investigation because of fears of a security breach.

Mr Fenaughty said yesterday that the explanations he had received from the employees indicated that they had wished to inspect the temperature control systems in the plant room in the area adjacent to the ninth floor of the executive wing.

“They used the ministerial lift to access this area.

"When they sought to return they found that the

ministerial lift was not available and they endeavoured to find an alternative exit,” said Mr Fenaughty. “They decided to remove an aik- vent grill and dropped down from there to the balcony level. “They then had to attract attention to obtain entry, the windows being locked.”

Mr Fenaughty said the staff concerned were well aware of the difficulties created.

"Appropriate action is being taken administratively to deal with the matter since there is a cleaiilnstruction as to the use or the ministerial lift ”