12. Dr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH (National—Rodney) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Why was the deadline for the inquiry into alleged conflicts of interest involving Taito Phillip Field set for 13 days, and what changed to allow this inquiry to take over 8 months with no confirmed date for reporting back?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK (Prime Minister) Link to this
Advice received in setting up the inquiry was that that was the appropriate time frame. Obviously, that subsequently proved not to be the case.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Who in her office has Maarten Wevers briefed on the progress of the Ingram inquiry in the last 4 weeks, given her statement to Parliament 2 weeks ago that he had inquired about the progress of the inquiry from time to time?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
My understanding is that Mr Wevers indeed rang the QC’s chamber, after the report appeared in the paper, to say that the report should be coming to the Prime Minister in due course—not progress reports being given to the Dominion Post.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
My question to the Prime Minister asked who in her office the head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has briefed on the progress of the Ingram inquiry, when she has acknowledged to this House that he has inquired as to the progress of the inquiry—that is my question.
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I have just told the member that seeing the report in the paper, the head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet phoned Mr Ingram’s chambers to say that comment on the report should come with the report to the Prime Minister. I have spoken personally with Mr Wevers about this.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Why did the Prime Minister tell this Parliament only a few weeks ago that Mr Wevers had inquired as to progress on the inquiry in order that the Prime Minister could answer questions about the inquiry—a matter she now seems to want to deny today?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Over a long period of time—some 8 months, as the Opposition keeps complaining—questions have been asked in this House about the inquiry, and from time to time the head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has inquired as to when it is likely to arrive. That advice is then fed in, if it is available, for me to answer questions in this House. I repeat: I do not want progress reports on substance and on what is being considered; I am awaiting a final report. I note that Opposition members initially complained that Mr Ingram did not have long enough and now they are complaining he has had too long. They should make up their minds.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Why, when on 27 March the Prime Minister stated she “would certainly be expecting it in the course of this recess” has she not received the report from Noel Ingram almost 2 months later; and, when will we see this report, or is she just hoping that the passage of time will bury it?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
No, when that question was answered, indeed the advice I had was that that was the time frame, and that has proved not to be correct.