Urgent Debates Declined — Family Start—Future Funding

I have received a letter from the Hon Sir Roger Douglas seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 future funding to the Ministry of Social Development Family Start programme. This is a particular case of recent occurrence that involves ministerial responsibility. However, not every ministerial announcement will give sufficient grounds for an urgent debate. The big hurdle to get over in applications for urgent debates is whether the matter has reached the stage where the business of the House ought to be set aside. A new programme, standards, and guidelines are to be introduced over 2 years. In these circumstances, I do not believe that setting aside the House’s business for an urgent debate today can be justified. The application is, therefore, declined.