Points of Order — Tabling of Documents—Process

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek leave of the House to table a letter to this Parliament from Viet Nam veteran John “Doc” Mountain on behalf of many New Zealand services veterans, some of whom are here today in this House, expressing grave concerns in the way war pensions, disabled pensions—

Order! That is enough information for the House. I put leave to the House. Leave is sought to table that particular document. [Interruption]

💬 Hon Gerry Brownlee: I am seeking leave to speak to the point of order.

I think that on this particular occasion it is useful for the Leader of the House to seek clarification.

Mr Speaker, we have arrangements in this House, as you well know, through the Business Committee, where matters like this are often put in front of parties prior to their being brought to the House. I do think that in this case it would be better if the member were prepared to put that to the Business Committee today to see what might come of it tomorrow, rather than putting the House in a position of having to decline something it has not seen.

With respect, it has crept in of late that the Business Committee seems to be controlling events that really belong with this House. The plain fact is that my colleague has sought the House’s permission to table a document. I cannot believe that there is any responsible member of Parliament who would oppose him doing so.

I thank the member for his contribution. The Business Committee works to smooth the running of this House. Mr Brownlee is quite right to suggest that in the normal course of events such a matter as this would be raised through it. I think it is now in the hands of the mover of the motion, Andrew Williams. He is in the situation where he withdraws it or I put the leave as he has requested. It is either of those two choices. Can I seek clarification from Mr Williams. Does he want to proceed with me putting the question of leave?

Mr Speaker, we have veterans here in the House today—

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Order! I take it from that that the member wants me to proceed with putting the question of leave. I therefore put the question. Leave is sought for that letter to be tabled. Is there any objection? There is objection.