Page 1390 - Week 07 - Thursday, 24 August 1989
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Mr Whalan: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; I think that what the speaker is saying displays an ignorance of how question time has to be dealt with. There is such a vast range of issues that are covered by the four Ministers that it is inevitable that Ministers rely on written prompts to a various range of questions. It is a practice which is followed throughout the Westminster system, throughout the world, and it is quite normal, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: I would agree.
Mr Whalan: So, could I ask that you insist, Mr Speaker, that this reflection upon Mr Wood be withdrawn.
Mrs Grassby: And on me.
Mr Whalan: And indeed on the Minister.
MR SPEAKER: I understood you to be arguing Mr Stevenson's case then, because I believe dorothy dix questions so-called are valid.
Mrs Grassby: He did not say that; he said that I read the answers.
Mr Duby: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; it is fairly apparent that Mr Stevenson does not understand that all Ministers have pre-written cues to matters affecting their - - -
MR SPEAKER: I do not see the point of order. I accept that this is current - - -
Mrs Grassby: Well, I do. I think it is a slur to say that I have no right to do that when it is part of the Westminster system. I think it is a slur on my character. I ask him to withdraw it.
MR SPEAKER: Your time has expired, Mr Stevenson.
Assembly Members' Staff
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister) (5.33): Mr Speaker, I will be very brief but I do want to correct a number of statements that Mr Stevenson has made; first of all that Bill Wood enjoys further staffing resources by virtue of the fact that he is a member of the same party as the Government. This is absolutely untrue.
A member: Secretary of Cabinet, I think he said.
MS FOLLETT: And/or secretary of Cabinet. In either case it is equally untrue. Bill Wood has one member of staff. That member of staff is employed within the staffing allocation that I have made to all members of this Assembly.
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