Today’s questions for oral answer by Ministers are….

1. Rt Hon. Helen Clark to the Minister of Social Services, Work and Income: Following reports from teachers, health and community workers that "Cases of children turning up for class with empty bellies and no lunch are becoming worryingly common.", does he stand by the Prime Minister's statement, with respect to her Government, that "New Zealanders ... are proud of what we have done"; if so, why?

2. Eric Roy to the Minister responsible for Housing New Zealand Ltd: How are the waiting lists for urgent State housing needs affected by rental policies?

3. Jim Anderton to the Treasurer: In view of his reported comment on 21 June 1999 that as Treasurer he would emphasise good economic management, what are the most recent reports he has received about New Zealand's current account deficit and GDP growth?

4. Hon. Richard Prebble to the Minister of Health: Is the statement in the advertisement for the position of Health Promotion Manager for the Whakatane Hospital that "Pacific Health acknowledges health as a Taonga under Article 2 of the Treaty of Waitangi" Government policy; if not, what action has he taken to correct this taxpayer-paid advertisement?

5. Gilbert Myles to the Minister of Health: Is the tragic death of Mrs Christine Maire Heenan further evidence that the policy introduced by the Labour Government to place mental health patients into the community is a failure and has resulted in the deaths of a number of New Zealanders?

6. Hon. Dr Michael Cullen to the Prime Minister: Is her Government prepared to support anti-defection legislation to ensure that following the election no members of Parliament will be able to change parties; if not, why not?

7. Bob Simcock to the Minister for Enterprise and Commerce: What evidence has he received that New Zealanders want the Employment Contracts Act 1991 to remain?

8. Steve Maharey to the Minister for Tertiary Education: Does he stand by the Prime Minister's reported statement that the Government had no plan to reduce student loan interest rates because she believes the current loan system is "the fairest we can do"; if so, why?

9. Jeanette Fitzsimons to the Prime Minister: Will the Government review its policy on genetic engineering of food crops in the light of the petition containing 90,000 signatures to be presented today calling for a Royal Commission of Inquiry and a moratorium on growing, selling and trialling genetically engineered foods?

10. Peter Brown to the Minister of Transport: Is he satisfied that television advertising designed as a tool to shock drivers into complying with our road rules, and therefore to combat New Zealand's alarmingly high road toll, is working?

11. Tony Steel to the Minister of Education: What new ideas is the Government advancing in school governance and management to build on the Tomorrow's Schools reforms?

12. Hon. Annette King to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his reported statement that the Government is trying to do something about the $29 million shortfall in funding for drug and alcohol services; if so, why does the Health Funding Authority National Mental Health Funding Plan, 1998-2002 indicate that there is no new money for alcohol and drug services for the next two years?

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Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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