Questions for Oral Answer
As At Thursday, 11 September 2003

Questions to Ministers
1. JEANETTE FITZSIMONS to the Minister for the Environment: In view of her statement reported on Sunday that "A two-year moratorium enabled us to work through the recommendations. That work will be completed when the moratorium expires on October 29.", will the work in fact be completed by that date?

2. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Does she still have confidence in her Minister of Immigration and Minister of Health?

3. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Associate Minister of Justice: In light of the Prime Minister's statement that "It is clear in the Government proposal that the Maori Land Court could not, as the end point of its work on a claim, go to fee simple title.", does this mean that the Maori Land Court will be prohibited from confirming customary title; if not, why not?

4. DARREN HUGHES to the Minister of Immigration: Why did she seek changes to the law to enable the voices of victims to be heard in deportation cases?

5. Hon DAVID CARTER to the Convenor, Ministerial Group on Climate Change: Has the Government withdrawn or declined part-funding any research aimed at decreasing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and increasing productivity?

6. JILL PETTIS to the Minister for the Environment: What progress is the Government making towards implementing remediation, and instituting clear management programmes, for all high risk contaminated sites?

7. Hon Dr NICK SMITH to the Minister of Research, Science and Technology: How does he reconcile his statement to the House on 9 September regarding testing of suspected genetically modified sweet corn that "One needs to get a positive result for both parts to get a positive test." and the Prime Minister's statement of 11 July 2002 that "... in order to conclude that there might be GE presence you have to have positive tests across two gene sequences.", with the Protocol on GM contamination in sweet corn seed imports?

8. DAVID BENSON-POPE to the Minister of Conservation: What initiatives has he taken to improve co-operation between the tourism sector and the Department of Conservation?

9. Hon TONY RYALL to the Minister of Local Government: Does he agree that the Local Government Act 2002 and other recent Government legislation have contributed to the large increases in rates many ratepayers have faced this year as stated by Local Government New Zealand President, Basil Morrison?

10. PETER BROWN to the Minister of Finance: In the event Toll Holdings does purchase Tranz Rail, has the Government got an arrangement with Toll Holdings to purchase the rail track, and are there any assurances of major track or operational development?

11. STEPHEN FRANKS to the Attorney-General: Has the Government considered appealing or seeking a rehearing of the seabed and foreshore case in the Court of Appeal on the grounds that gave Pinochet a rehearing in the House of Lords; if so, why has no application been made?

12. LARRY BALDOCK to the Minister of Local Government: Does he continue to stand by his statement that "As Minister of Local Government, it is my responsibility, and indeed my privilege, to act as an advocate for local government."?

© Scoop Media