Page 549 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 19 May 1992
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that the committee asked us to and, indeed, to include those options in a second submission to the committee. So, we are in no way pre-empting the committee's own deliberations; we are merely responding to a request for that sort of information. Madam Speaker, I did make it clear right from the outset, though, that we in the Government have, in principle, given our support to a move to the South Building. It should not have come as a surprise to anybody that that is a building that is under active consideration.
I am sorry, Madam Speaker, that the work of the committee is delayed. I think this is a matter which we would all like to see progressed quickly, but I also think it is important that we get it right for the long-term future of the Assembly and the long-term financial efficiency of the Assembly as well. I think a good solution, at the moment, is better than a quick solution. I would like to commend the committee on the work that it is doing. I know that they are being exceptionally thorough. I know that they are consulting widely and effectively with all of the users of the Assembly's building. Again, Madam Speaker, I regret having to put forward this motion; but I thank members who have indicated that they will be supporting it.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
DRUGS - SELECT COMMITTEE
Alteration of Resolution of Appointment
MR MOORE (3.56): Madam Speaker, I seek leave to move a motion altering the resolution of appointment of the Select Committee on Drugs.
Leave granted.
MR MOORE: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and members. When the Select Committee on Drugs was appointed, Madam Speaker, there was some debate over the resolution of appointment and in discussion with Mr Berry at the time I agreed that if there was a problem we would be able to sort that out at a later date. That later date has come. The reason for seeking to be able to report from time to time is that the Select Committee on Drugs has, as announced in the press, taken on three major areas in its inquiry. The first area is methadone; the second area is tranquillisers and benzodiazepines; the third area is alcohol and youth.
It seems to us that, instead of doing one whole report on areas that are, in many ways, not related, although they are related in other ways, it would be appropriate for us to bring down probably three reports on those areas. The report on methadone is one that the committee believes we should be able to bring down fairly rapidly. Part of the reason for this is the cooperation of Mr Berry with the committee. He has made his officers available to us already to brief us. We would expect to be able to bring down that report quite quickly and that, I think, would add a useful element to an area that has been criticised recently, and criticised by me, amongst other people.
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