Wilson Margaret: Adjournment — Sittings of the House 
Wilson Margaret: Adjournment — Sittings of the House 
[Volume:636;Page:7234] 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Members of Parliament as the 2006 parliamentary year comes to a close I wish to pay tribute to all the people who contribute to the efficient functioning of the House. First I must acknowledge the support of my colleague and Deputy Speaker Clem Simich and Assistant Speakers Ann Hartley and Ross Robertson who have been great to work with this year and have never failed to perform when asked. 
I extend my thanks to the Clerk of the House David McGee. In my time as Speaker I have come to value his sound advice and support as well as his role in the efficient conduct of the House. As most members are aware David has been overseas on a well-earned sabbatical for the last few months. It is with great admiration that I pay tribute to the Deputy Clerk of the House Mary Harris. It is never easy stepping into the position of someone with David’s reputation but Mary has embraced the role of Acting Clerk with confidence professionalism and a quiet determination. I have been exceedingly grateful for her wise counsel and sound advice over recent months. 
I would also like to thank the staff of the Clerk’s Office for their professional and administrative skills in servicing the Table of the House compiling  
Hansard 
 records processing legislation questions petitions and serving select committees. 
 Thanks also must go to George Tanner Chief Parliamentary Counsel and his staff; the general manager of the Parliamentary Service Joel George and his senior managers; members’ support staff including executive assistants; support staff of the various parliamentary parties; the staff of the Parliamentary Library; research units; the Chamber and gallery officers; security staff; building services staff; the telephonists; travel office staff; and reception and visitor services staff—my special thanks. 
My thanks also goes to the Serjeant-at-Arms Brent Smith and to all those who work with him to uphold the traditions and propriety of the Chamber and to welcome visitors to the parliamentary galleries. They are an essential part of the running of the Parliament and of events such as the highly successful open day at Parliament in October. Others who work hard to ensure that guests and visitors to the parliamentary complex have an enjoyable experience include Beverley Cathcart and Michelle Janse. 
Thank you to all those who have worked to support the committees that I chair: the Business Committee the Parliamentary Service Commission the Standing Orders Committee and the Officers of Parliament Committee. I would also like to thank the Chief Ombudsman John Belgrave and his fellow ombudsmen Beverley Wakem and Mel Smith and their staff; the Controller and Auditor-General Kevin Brady and his staff; the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Morgan Williams who after 10 years’ service leaves his post early next year. Welcome to Dr Jan Wright who takes over in March. 
Thanks also to the Leader of the House the Hon Dr Michael Cullen whose knowledge of the Standing Orders impressive debating skills and sense of humour have saved the House from sinking below the radar on several occasions—so to you I thank you Michael. The leaders of all the parties in this House their deputies and the party whips and their deputies all deserve a special commendation. Only those intimately involved appreciate the degree of skill charm and authority necessary to ensure the smooth running of this House. We are all well served by those who hold these often thankless offices. 
I would like to acknowledge and thank the members of the press gallery and those journalists who take the time to learn about Parliament and its procedures and are therefore better qualified to report and comment on what happens here than some of their other colleagues are. I acknowledge too the efforts of all members of Parliament who despite enormous workloads continued to serve their electorates and make important contributions to the wide range of select committees that met throughout this year. 
I extend a personal thanks to my own staff Pam Reader Roland Todd and of course the two Roses with whom you are all familiar. In addition of course thanks to our Kaumatua and his wife Rose—who is the No. 3 Rose—and also to our interpreters who give sterling service to this House. 
I thank all members again for their support and work throughout the year and for the contribution they make not just to this House but also to New Zealand and its people. I know that from time to time people may wonder what members actually do in here so I have been provided with a few statistics that may be of assistance to them during their holiday breaks over their barbecues. We have had 85 sitting days 87 calendar days—members may wish to explain that to their constituents. We have had sitting hours that total 477 hours and 22 minutes. We have passed 97 bills and they include four members’ bills. Members have contributed 20185 written questions and have asked 988 oral questions. There have been 296 select committee meetings and those select committees have produced 293 reports. I think that is an example of an extraordinarily good workload for which all members should be congratulated. 
As I draw this session of Parliament to a close and as members go to join their families and friends for the coming break I wish them all well until we meet again in February 2007. 
Motion agreed to. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday 13 February 2007.