Urgent Debates Declined — Parliamentary Precinct—Construction of New Building

I have received a letter from Ron Mark seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the announcement made by the Speaker yesterday on the construction of a new building for Parliament. The urgent debate is a way of holding the Government accountable for an action for which it is responsible. The Speaker is not part of the Government and is not able to take part in the debate, as a Minister can. I do note that in September 1997 the Speaker granted a similar application for an urgent debate. However, on that occasion it was in respect of an announcement made by the Government and not by the Speaker. The application is, therefore, declined.