QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER
Tuesday, 16 May 2000

Questions to Ministers

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1. Jeanette Fitzsimons to the Minister responsible for Timberlands West Coast Ltd: How many ancient rainforest trees will be cut in each of the Orikaka, Okarito and Saltwater forests during the term of this Government?

2. Hon. Bill English to the Minister of Finance: Since he has noted "the prospect of low, zero, or even mildly negative growth in the March quarter", does he expect this to lead to a period of prolonged economic weakness?

3. Harry Duynhoven to the Minister of Immigration: Will the previous Government's changes to the rules governing returning residents' visas take effect on 5 June 2000 as announced; if not, why not?

4. Hon. Max Bradford to the Minister of Labour: Does the Employment Relations Bill allow individual independent contractors to remain as contractors, even if a declaration by the Employment Court or the proposed Employment Relations Authority determines the class or group to which that contractor belongs are to become employees?

5. Martin Gallagher to the Minister of Education: Does the current staffing formula meet the needs of all schools; if not, why not?

6. Hon. Richard Prebble to the Minister of Mâori Affairs: Has he received any reports of the effect on Maori employment from the Employment Relations Bill; if so, what do the reports say?

7. Ann Hartley to the Minister of Research, Science and Technology: What plans does the Government have for the Public Good Science Fund?

8. Dr the Hon. Lockwood Smith to the Minister of Labour: Is it her intention that the Employment Relations Bill be enacted so that union members can have "utu"?

9. Rodney Hide to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises: Has he any concerns about the financial arrangements of the Airways Corporation's long-term strategy; if so, what are they?

10. Hon. John Luxton to the Minister for Industry and Regional Development: How much of the Government's $100 million regional development fund will be invested in Auckland and Northland?

11. Mita Ririnui to the Minister of Mâori Affairs: What economic development opportunities is the Government using to close the economic gaps between Maori and other New Zealanders?

12. Hon. Maurice Williamson to the Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education): Has he been making an offer to tertiary institutions of a 2.3 percent increase in funding in exchange for a freeze on student fees next year?

ENDS

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