Paraphrased answers to today's questions will be posted in the Scoops wire shortly after 3pm.

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Thursday, 30 November 2000

Questions to Ministers

1. ROD DONALD to the Minister for Trade Negotiations: In light of the Prime Minister's recent announcement that Bangladesh exporters will have tariff-free access to New Zealand, is he concerned by reports of the fire in a Bangladesh clothing factory which has so far resulted in the death of 49 women and children because the fire exit and main entrance were locked on the outside, trapping many of the 900 workers in the four storey factory?

2. Hon BILL ENGLISH to the Minister of Finance: What is his response to comments from the OECD on the changed industrial relations framework that "To minimise potentially adverse macroeconomic and microeconomic consequences from the strengthening of the role of trade unions, bargaining parties will need to keep wage increases in line with productivity developments ..."?

3. HELEN DUNCAN to the Minister of Education: What steps has the Government taken to improve quality in early childhood education?

4. Dr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH to the Minister of Finance: What is his response to the comments by the OECD that "given its relative geographical isolation and resource endowments, New Zealand has to do more than other countries in order to make it an attractive location for both domestic and foreign labour and capital"?

5. ANN HARTLEY to the Associate Minister of Education: What has been the Government's response to the 1997 international adult literacy survey which found that approximately one million adult New Zealanders had literacy levels below that needed to cope effectively with daily life?

6. Hon MURRAY McCULLY to the Minister of Maori Affairs: Does he have full confidence in the ability of his Ministry to carry out all of its responsibilities in relation to the Closing the Gaps programme?

7. DAMIEN O'CONNOR to the Minister of Tourism: Has he received any reports on the economic benefits of tourism growth; if so, what do those reports say?

8. BELINDA VERNON to the Minister of Housing: Does he agree with advice given to him by the Ministry of Social Policy that the level of assistance for State tenants may "give people an incentive to prefer State over private housing and consequently reduce people's willingness to move from a State house to pursue labour market opportunities"; if not, why not?

9. GRANT GILLON to the Minister of Consumer Affairs: What is she doing in response to concerns about the safety of baby walkers?

10. Rt Hon WYATT CREECH to the Minister of Health: What is she doing to ensure the citizens of Kaitaia have ongoing access to primary health care services?

11. PETER BROWN to the Minister of Internal Affairs: Is the New Zealand Fire Service firmly committed to carrying out fire safety training, including fire-fighting training, in specific industries where the need is crucial in order to preserve life and property?

12. RODNEY HIDE to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his reported statement that the OECD recommendations are "extreme, socially unacceptable, and economically unnecessary"; if so, what advice has he received that would give contrary views to the OECD views?

Questions to Members

ENDS

1. Dr LYNDA SCOTT to the Chairperson of the Health Committee: Will the committee be reviewing the way it considers the health legislation that is before it?

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