Personal Explanations — Question No. 1 to Minister 
Personal Explanations — Question No. 1 to Minister 
[Volume:648;Page:17493] 
Personal Explanations 
Question No. 1 to Minister 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (National—Pakuranga) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I want to raise with you the events of the last 20 minutes or so where Craig Foss has been seeking leave. I can say that in my 21 years I have never seen a case where a personal accusation—not a political one not a party one but a particular personal accusation—is laid by a member in this House and the person who that accusation is made against gets no chance— 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: This is not a point of order though. 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: I think it is because if I am not allowed to make it here I am going to ask for the Speaker to be recalled. Mr Foss had some accusations made against him by a member. I am not sure whether the junior Government whip is aware of that occurring. Ron Mark was not but once he found out he withdrew his accusations. I am going to ask for the process to happen again—for Mr Foss to ask for leave. If he cannot get leave—because I can understand Labour wanting to put some conditions around this about it being of a personal nature and so on then I understand that but if that is not allowed then it breaches every principle of natural justice and any member of this House whatever party he or she comes from should have that right. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Thank you Mr Williamson. 
Hon PAUL SWAIN (Labour—Rimutaka) 
: 
 I appreciate what the member has said but he may have jumped the gun a little bit. There had already been a discussion going on. I just want to make sure that the implication of the whips’ denying leave is not somehow associated with a threat to bring back the Speaker. The reality is that the matter had been resolved prior to the member rising and I think we can now proceed. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: I just say to members that we can go backwards and forwards across the Chamber but members should be reminded that it comes off the debating time. 
CRAIG FOSS (National—Tukituki) 
: 
 I seek leave to make a personal statement regarding allegations made against me during question time today. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: The member has sought leave. Is there any objection to that course of action being taken? There is none. The member may proceed. 
CRAIG FOSS 
: I thank you Mr Chairman and the Committee for permission. This afternoon during question time the Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters made allegations that I had not fulfilled my obligations when providing my details for the Registrar of Pecuniary Interests of Members of Parliament. I wish to take this opportunity to set the record straight. The Foss Family Trust is the registered owner of those shares Mr Peters referred to the shares in Cynotech Holdings Ltd and has been the registered shareholder since at least April 2003. 
I seek leave to table a document from Link Market Services confirming that the shares referred to have been registered in the name of the Foss family trust for more than 5 years. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.