Today's questions for oral answer by Ministers. Paraphrased answers to these questions will be published shortly after 3pm in the Headlines wire.

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER
Tuesday, 28 March 2000

Questions to Ministers

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1. Mark Peck to the Minister of Finance: Has he received any recent reports on the outlook for the New Zealand economy; if so, what do they say?

2. Dr the Hon. Lockwood Smith to the Minister of Finance: Will he heed the warnings of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research and Standard and Poors that this Government's policies raise real risks to the sustainability of current economic growth?

3. Sue Kedgley to the Minister of Transport: How does he plan to make cycling safer in light of the recent spate of cyclist deaths and injuries, including four on State highways?

4. Dr Wayne Mapp to the Minister of Defence: Does he disagree with the comments of Rear Admiral Fred Wilson that "Any re-examination of defence policy, for whatever reason, must start with a restatement of national aims and desired outcomes."?

5. John Wright to the Minister of Local Government: What concerns does she have about the pressures on local government and their communities caused by controversies over cell-phone towers?

6. Donna Awatere Huata to the Minister of Education: When does he intend to fulfil the requirement to consult with each individual Board of Trustees, as outlined in the agreement in relation to the fully-funded option scheme, before he cancels those contracts?

7. Ann Hartley to the Minister of Health: How many New Zealanders will benefit from the raising of the threshold for eligibility for the community services card?

8. Rt Hon. Wyatt Creech to the Minister of Health: Will she be seeking financial provision in the Budget specifically to fund a pay increase for doctors, nurses and other hospital staff or will pay increases for staff have to be funded from normal operational funding?

9. Judy Keall to the Minister of Health: What reaction has she received from health professionals to the discussion document on the future shape of primary health care and has she received any evidence to lend weight to a claim that doctors will not support the strategy?

10. Rt Hon. Jenny Shipley to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage: Who are the "high priests of the temple" who she said on Morning Report this morning were very critical of Te Papa?

11. Chris Carter to the Minister of Immigration: What factors led to the approval of funding to save an Auckland hostel for refugee claimants from closure?

12. Bob Simcock to the Associate Minister of Social Services and Employment (Social Services): Does she stand by her statement, in regard to the Children, Youth and Family Services, that there is "downright prejudice within the organisation"?

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