Sixty-two got Budget early

Press, 12 September 1986, Page 27

Sixty-two got Budget early

PA Wellington The Minister of Finance, Mr Douglas, said that 62 organisations and individuals received Budget information at the time he began reading the Budget speech to Parliament.

Mr Douglas gave the list of organisations in reply to a written question by Mr Garry Knapp (Dem., East Coast Bays). The organisations were largely financial institutions, but trade and employers’ groups such as the Combined State Unions, Federated Farmers and the Manufacturers’ Federation also received the documents. Included in the list are the Leader of the Opposi-

tion’s office and the Opposition Research Unit.

Mr Douglas said the list was compiled by updating the previous year’s list with any further organisations that applied and met the relevant criteria. The criteria for receipt of copies of the budget at 7.30 p.m. were that the organisations concerned must have a commercial or other urgent need to receive the full Budget material, including press statements, Mr Douglas said.

Members of Parliament received copies of the Budget and other supplementary information at the end of the Budget speech, Mr Douglas said.