9. Question No. 9—Energy and ResourcesJONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister of Energy and ResourcesQuestion No. 9—Energy and Resources9. JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister of Energy and Resources: Does she stand by all her Government's policies statements and actions in relation to the energy and resources portfolio?Hon DAVID PARKER (Acting Minister of Energy and Resources): On behalf of the Minister of Energy and Resources yes—SPEAKER: Can I just interrupt. I think he is the Acting Minister isn't he? Aren't you?Hon DAVID PARKER: Yes because she's overseas. Yes sir. I still thought I had to say who I—SPEAKER: No you don't because you are the Minister.Hon DAVID PARKER: Well yes—in context.Jonathan Young: Thank you and congratulations. Does it remain the Government's policy that there will be no new mines on conservation land as stated in the Speech from the Throne?Hon DAVID PARKER: I'm not sure of the detail of that. If the member is referring to stewardship lands I think the position has been made clear in respect of fossil fuels. I'm not sure in respect of other mining on conservation lands. If the member cares to put down a specific question I'll ensure that it's answered.Maureen Pugh: If this is already Government policy how can those most affected be confident that the upcoming consultation will be thorough and meaningful?Hon DAVID PARKER: The consultation document that has been produced will be processed in the normal way.Maureen Pugh: Is the Minister aware that banning new mines on conservation land will ban new mines on 85 percent of the land on the West Coast?Hon DAVID PARKER: That's a hypothetical question and therefore I won't answer it.Jonathan Young: Is it the intention of the Government to extend new section 50A recently introduced in the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill which bans access to Taranaki conservation land except for minimum impact activities to the rest of the country and if not then why is it in the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill?Hon DAVID PARKER: I don't have the answer to that particular question but I'm sure if it's put down in writing it will be answered.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Having regard to recent events I seek the leave of the House for Maureen Pugh to put a couple more questions to demonstrate how effective she's been as an MP.SPEAKER: Order! Order!Maureen Pugh: Point of order Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: I'm going to deal with this one first and that is that the member is an experienced member—the most experienced member in the House—and he knows that one cannot seek leave on behalf of another member when that member is present.Maureen Pugh: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I take offence at that comment from the Deputy Prime Minister and I ask him to withdraw and apologise.SPEAKER: Well no I actually think that that was not an offensive comment. I mean one might say given a number of the comments that have been made here recently from both sides of the House I think it was if not absolutely polite then not so bad as it would cause me to require the member to withdraw.Hon Christopher Finlayson: And it's after lunch.Rt Hon Winston Peters: You're gone—we all knew that.SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Prime Minister will stop referring to me in that way.