QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Wednesday, 27 June 2001

Questions to Ministers

1. Hon RICHARD PREBBLE to the Prime Minister: Is it correct that she has not met Christine Rankin, the Chief Executive of the Department of Work and Income, in the eighteen months that she has been Prime Minister; if so, what assurance can she give the House that her Government is concerned about the almost one million clients of the department, the nearly 5,000 public servants who work for the department, or the over thirteen billion dollars of taxpayers' money that this department spends each year?

2. DIANNE YATES to the Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education): What progress has been made with the Government's Industry Training Strategy?

3. Rt Hon JENNY SHIPLEY to the Minister of Social Services and Employment: In light of his statement yesterday that the Prime Minister expects him to ensure that all his portfolios show a commitment to public service, what commitment does he require of the Department of Work and Income to provide equal employment opportunities and the creation of a female-friendly work environment?

4. HELEN DUNCAN to the Minister of Education: What does the New Zealand Schools - Nga Kura o Aotearoa 2000 report, tabled today, tell us about progress and priorities in New Zealand schools?

5. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises: Does he have full confidence in Dr Ross Armstrong as chairman of New Zealand Post Ltd; if so, why?

6. JOHN WRIGHT to the Minister for Industry and Regional Development: What regional development assistance is available to help regions retain or expand rail services?

7. Dr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises: Does he accept Dr Ross Armstrong's assertion that the interim report by PriceWaterhouseCoopers shows that there was no substance to concerns raised by employees of New Zealand Post Ltd about Transend's operations in Spain and South Africa?

8. SUE KEDGLEY to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his statement that passenger rail services could be maintained through alternatives to roading or passenger output funding from Transfund New Zealand; if so, how does he suggest that this can occur before the services are expected to cease in three months?

9. Dr LYNDA SCOTT to the Minister of Health: Why has the Ministry of Health agreed to an independent review of its funding for acute services at Otago District Health Board in the next financial year?

10. DAMIEN O'CONNOR to the Minister of Fisheries: What progress can he report on the development of an Oceans Policy for New Zealand?

11. RICHARD WORTH to the Minister of Corrections: What direct or indirect action has he taken to end the industrial dispute involving 500 Community Probation Service staff?

12. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Labour: As there are just 43 weeks to go before Easter 2002, what work is she undertaking to ensure there will be Easter Sunday trading next year?

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