Urgent Debates Declined — SAS, Afghanistan—Prisoners

I have received a letter from Keith Locke seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the handing over by the New Zealand Special Air Service of prisoners to the United States and Afghan authorities. This is an ongoing matter. New media allegations have emerged since the House last met. However, the making of such allegations can never constitute a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. An urgent debate cannot be granted on the basis of media speculation, neither is the absence of action on the part of the Government a particular case of recent occurrence. A case occurs at the time when a decision or some action is publicly announced. The application is therefore declined.