Ryall Tony: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Ryall Tony: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:620;Page:15958] 
7.  
Hon TONY RYALL (National—Bay Of Plenty) 
 to the  
Minister of Police 
: What responsibility does he take for the supervision and safety of remand inmates in police cells? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Police) 
: 
 Supervision and safety of prisoners in police cells are the responsibility of the district commander as set out in general police instruction P104. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: Are security guards in police cells operating in accord with departmental instructions and under sworn officer supervision; if not why not? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: We do have people contracted to guard prisoners. I would remind the member that the police deal with some 120000 prisoners per annum on average and basically they do it pretty well. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The question was very clear. It requires a “Yes” or a “No” answer. It is pivotal to the issue. Are security guards in police cells operating in accord with departmental instructions and under sworn officer supervision? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: A brief answer can be given to that part of the question. 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: If they are not they are sent packing. 
Martin Gallagher 
: What has brought about the current prisoner situation in police cells? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: In a referendum in 1999 the people of New Zealand called for tougher sentences following 9 years of inaction by the previous National Government. We delivered on that. There are increased prisoner numbers because the Government has introduced tougher bail sentencing and parole legislation which is combined with strong improvement in police resolution rates. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: Has the Minister seen reports of senior police confirming that the police are too stretched to provide suitable supervision in accord with departmental instructions; and which Minister is responsible for the rapidly deteriorating situation in the country’s police cells with police reportedly now investigating an alleged rape an alleged sexual assault a security guard turning up drunk and another found smoking with inmates in the cells? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: I tell that member that of course there are always—[ 
Interruption 
] I tell that member that from time to time there are instances of police assaulting people in police cells. I have one here dated 20 March 1996 an inquiry going back to 3 April 1995. There are always problems in police cells because of the nature of the people who go into police cells. 
Nandor Tanczos 
: If the woman allegedly raped while on remand in police custody was to receive reparation for her alleged rape under the Government’s newly announced policy would she have to give that money to her victims if she was convicted even if she was convicted of a much lesser offence? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: That is not an area for which the Minister has responsibility. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: I seek leave to table a report in the  
New Zealand Herald 
 by Louisa Cleave about senior police talking about the fact that departmental instructions are not being followed. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that. Is there any objection? There is. 
Nandor Tanczos 
: I seek leave of the House given that the Hon Phil Goff seemed keen to answer my question that he be allowed to give an answer. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: No. The member must read the Standing Orders. No one can seek leave on behalf of anyone else.