Business Statement

Next week the House will go into a 1-week adjournment. When the House resumes on Tuesday, 24 August, priority will be given to the third reading of the Appropriation (2004/05 Estimates) Bill, which, combined with an Imprest Supply Bill, is a 3-hour debate; the remaining stages of the Electricity and Gas Industries Bill; and the second reading of the Maori Fisheries Bill. The first Wednesday back is a members’ day. Members might also note that on Tuesday, 31 August the first item of business will be the first reading of the Ngati Awa Claims Settlement Bill.

I wonder whether the Leader of the House could give us some indication as to whether the Government would be prepared to extend the time that the special select committee looking at the foreshore and seabed legislation has to report back to the House, and assure the House that there is no intention to have that bill reported on its due date in order that it can be rushed through the House under urgency prior to the Privy Council hearing the case in London.

No, it is not the intention to extend the time for hearings on that bill. While there seems to be a large number of submissions, there also seems to be a large amount of repetition.