The day in Parliament

Press, 11 September 1986, Page 6

The day in Parliament

PA Wellington A member of the Opposition attempted unsuccessfully to raise a point of order concerning Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Select Committee when the House sat at 2 p.m. yesterday. Mr M. E. C. Cox (Nat., Manawatu) sought a ruling from the Speaker, Dr Wall, on whether the news media would be able to report on the committee’s hearing yesterday morning on an Opposition request to hold an inquiry into the early release of Budget documents. Mr Cox said that although reporters were allowed to attend the meeting, they had been warned by an official after the meeting to exercise caution in how they reported However, Dr Wall said that as the incident occurred! after the committee had finished its discussion, it could not be

considered by the House. Members presented 14 petitions asking the Government to reinstate the grant towards teachers’ salaries in independent schools to its preBudget level. The petitions were from: the headmaster and 63 parents of the Cathedral Grammar School, Christchurch; Bruce Stewart Markham, of Christchurch, and 15 others; and three parents of Christ’s College, all presented by Mr D. F. Caygill (Lab., St Albans); on behalf of the parents of Christ’s College and 15 others; Robert Brian Wynn-Williams, of Lincoln, and two others, both presented by Miss Ruth Richardson (Nat., Selwyn); the Waikato Anglican Boys’ College Trust, presented by Mr J. G. Dillon (Lab., Ham East); 21 parents and supporters of children at independent schools in the Awatere Valley; Jeremy Mark Nurse and one other, both presented by Mr D. L Kidd (Nat, Marlborough); Robert Gifford Middleton and Barbara Frances Middleton and seven others, presented by Mrs Margaret Austin (Lab., Yald-

hurst); Joanna Cameron and nine others, presented by Mr R. J. Gerard (Nat., Rangiora); Trinity Schools Trust Board and 423 others, presented by Mr R. G. Boorman (Lab., Wairarapa); James Baker and eight others, presented by Mr R. L. G. Talbot (Nat., Ashburton); Peter James Harrison and 139 others; John Haywood Taylor and 63 others, both presented by Mr D. A. Graham (Nat., Remuera). Mr Dillon also presented the petition of Anthony John Lawrence on behalf of the Motor Vehicle Dealers’ Institute praying the House recommend to the Government that it provide for a notional GST input on the used vehicle stock of licensed motor vehicle dealers held at September 30, 1986. Mr G. E. Lee (Nat., Hauraki) presented the petition of Bunny Gage ad 294 others asking for legislation to be introduced to overcome the problem of solvent abuse. The annual reports of the State Services Commission and the Departments of Sociaß’- Welfare and Police were presented together with the report of the New Zea-

land Government delegates to the seventy-first session of the International Labour Conference Dr Wall presented the report of the Abortion Supervisory Committee. Ministers answered 19 questions. Dr Wall declined a request from Mr Kidd for a snap debate on the Defence Review Committee’s recent report. Members then began the Wednesday afternoon general debate. After the debate, a private bill, the New Zealand Mission Trust Board (Port Waikato Maraetai) Empowering Bill was passed through its committee stages. The bill is sponsored by Mr W. F. Birch (Nat., Franklin). The House then began discussing the bill’s third reading. 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. . The bill was given itsithird reading. An Associate Minister of

Finance, Mr Caygill, moved the introduction of the Government Superannuation Fund Amendment Bill. The bill was introduced and referred to the Government Administration Select Committee. The House completed debate on the fourth interim report of the. Select Committee on Electoral Law. A motion that Parliament take note of the report was passed on a 37-29 division. The House began consideration of the interim report of the Social Services Committee inquiry into financial accountability in the health service. The House voted to take note of the report. Members then began consideration of the report of the Government administration committee into information technology. The House voted to take note of the report. Members had begun consideration of the Communications and Road Safety Committee’s report on a graduated driver’s licensing system when the House rose at 11 p.m.