Urgent Debates Declined — COVID-19 Response—Reasons for Northland Alert Level 3 in 2021

I’ve received a letter from David Seymour seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the reasons given for putting Northland into alert level 3 for 11 days in 2021. While this matter is not recent, since it refers to events last year, there have been new developments of the sort contemplated in Speaker’s ruling 205/4. At the heart of Mr Seymour’s application is his view that a Minister should have clarified or further explained his earlier statements on the alert level shift in Northland once more information came to light. The absence of action is not a particular case of recent occurrence for which an urgent debate can be held—see Speakers’ ruling 205/5. If a member wishes to know whether a Minister will take an action, then written or oral questions are the way to pursue the matter, not an urgent debate. The application is declined.

Point of order. I seek leave to table my letter requesting that debate.

Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is none. It may be tabled.

Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.