Urgent Debates Declined — Lead Contamination in Corn—Government's Response

I have received a letter from Sue Kedgley seeking to debate under Standing Order 373 the Government’s response to lead contamination in corn imported into New Zealand. The actual importation of the corn is, of course, not a matter for which there is ministerial responsibility. The Government’s response to it does involve ministerial responsibility, but I cannot accept that its response to one reported incident requires that an urgent debate be held, especially as the House is about to embark on an estimates debate that will enable the matters of concern to the member to be raised. I therefore decline the application.