Urgent Debates Declined

Madam SPEAKER Link to this

I have received a letter from Gerry Brownlee seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the release of the Government’s draft Energy Strategy. The announcement by the Minister of Energy, David Parker, of the draft strategy is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. However, under Standing Order 380(2)(c), for the Speaker to allow debate the matter must also require the immediate attention of the House. According to Speaker’s ruling 165/4, there must be an element of urgency to warrant the business of the House being set aside. The announcement of the Minister of Energy makes it clear that a series of long-term programmes are being developed. Submissions have been called for on the draft strategy and will close on 31 March 2007. The Minister has indicated that strong input is required to finalise and implement the strategy. The outcome is not yet clear. The matter raised is an important one, and there will undoubtedly be other parliamentary opportunities to discuss the finalised strategy as decisions are taken in 2007. In the circumstances there is no need for an urgent debate on the subject today. The application is accordingly declined.