Locke Keith: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Locke Keith: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:672;Page:18333] 
11. 
KEITH LOCKE (Green) 
 to the  
Minister of Defence 
: Did the New Zealand Defence Force when preparing their response dated 2 May 2011 talk to any of the Afghan civilians interviewed by Jon Stephenson in the  
Metro 
 article “Eyes Wide Shut” and seen on the subsequent  
60 Minutes 
 TV special; if so who? 
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP (Minister of Defence) 
: 
 No. 
Keith Locke 
: Did the SAS involved in the raid on 24 December on the Kabul offices of Tiger International Armor ever hold staff in the building at gunpoint depriving them of their liberty? 
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP 
: In relation to that particular issue as is well known and as the video information discloses the person who was interviewed Mr Baraily actually fired on them first. They did return fire and then they did actually ask everyone to remain down a bit for a few minutes. 
Keith Locke 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was about whether they ever held staff at gunpoint. I do not think he answered that— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Let me clarify the situation. Is the member asking whether New Zealand personnel ever held staff at gunpoint—personnel for whom the Minister is responsible? 
Keith Locke 
: Yes personnel— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: For whom the Minister is responsible? 
Keith Locke 
: Yes. I will read the question again. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I struggled to understand the question and I think the Minister did too. The Minister cannot be responsible for people who are not New Zealand defence personnel. If the question relates to defence personnel I will invite him to repeat his question. 
Keith Locke 
: Did the SAS involved in the raid on 24 December on the Kabul offices of Tiger International Armor ever hold staff in the building at gunpoint depriving them of their liberty? 
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP 
: I did actually answer that question. Mr Speaker can I explain to Mr Locke what actually happened there? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I say to the Minister that all he needs to do is to answer the question. Did they ever hold people at gunpoint and deprive them of their liberty for a period of time? That as finally asked was a pretty straight question. 
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP 
: They were fired upon and they returned fire. They then went into the rooms and asked the people to stay down and the Afghan unit arrived a few minutes later. So clearly whilst they were down essentially the SAS were there. [ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have called Keith Locke. [ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I ask members to show some courtesy please. I have called Keith Locke. 
Keith Locke 
: Did either the New Zealand Defence Force or the International Security Assistance Force subsequently interview any of the Tiger International Armor employees present during the raid on Tiger International Armor offices on 24 December? 
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP 
: Certainly the New Zealand Defence Force officers did not interview them subsequently. The person who was filmed Mr Baraily was the very person who fired on the New Zealand Defence Force officers. 
Keith Locke 
: Why will the Government not allow an independent inquiry to be held into New Zealand’s actions in relation to prisoners taken in Afghanistan that would look at all the facts and testimony available including that of Afghan civilians who have been affected but not interviewed by the New Zealand Defence Force or the International Security Assistance Force rather than relying purely on the word of the New Zealand Defence Force? 
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP 
: Unlike Mr Locke I actually trust and I believe in the New Zealand Defence Force officers and an inquiry is unnecessary. Many of Mr Stephenson’s allegations from last year which Mr Locke is relying on have been disproven by the New Zealand Defence Force. We were not even at Wardak which is the incident referred to in June. Mr Baraily fired on our officers first.