Davis Kelvin: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDavis Kelvin: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 23 July 2015. Volume:707;Page:5282. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]10.KELVIN DAVIS (Labour—Te Tai Tokerau) to the Minister of Corrections: Why did he state that he only learned about the practice of dropping this week when he was directly told about it one month ago at select committee?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA (Minister of Corrections): I made that statement because it is true.Kelvin Davis: Why has he the Department of Corrections and Serco continued to insist that dropping does not happen despite media reports in February of an inmate being thrown two floors from a balcony at Mt Eden Corrections Facility?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: With regards to this incident in February the chief executive of the Department of Corrections has released a statement that concludes that there was no suggestion made in the report of any practice of dropping.Kelvin Davis: What does—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! The interjections from both sides must cease to allow Kelvin Davis to ask his supplementary question.Kelvin Davis: What does the closed-circuit television footage show of the dropping that took place in February and was referred to in a Department of Corrections news release today?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: I have not seen the closed-circuit television coverage of that but the investigation is quite clear as I have said that there was no dropping involved in this case.Kelvin Davis: Did Serco notify him of allegations of any similar attacks at the time?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: No it did not inform me of any other attacks at the time.Mahesh Bindra: Given the number of stuff-ups—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I will give the member one chance to ask his question correctly. If it starts that way it will be immediately ruled out of order and the member will have lost his opportunity.Mahesh Bindra: Given the number of incidents mishaps—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Get the question out quickly otherwise the member will lose it.Mahesh Bindra: —escapes and even deaths at Serco-run prisons under his watch what will it take for the Minister to resign—another death in custody?Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. If you recall that question there was some assertions in there that have not been made anywhere other than by this member. I do not think it is reasonable for the Minister to be asked questions about what is essentially an assertion by someone that is quite independent of the actual issue we are dealing with.Mr SPEAKER: Order! The question is a very marginal question. I am trying to be lenient to the member because he is a very new member and has not asked a lot of questions. The last part of the question does fall into ministerial responsibility and it is not a difficult question for the Minister to now answer. I invite him to do so.Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: No but I understand that the corrections system has improved since that member left the corrections system.Kelvin Davis: Does he know whether it is true that following recent events Serco—[Interruption] Can I start again sorry?Mr SPEAKER: Yes the member can start again.Kelvin Davis: Does he know whether it is true that following recent events Serco has had to lock down Mt Eden prison since Sunday at 4 o’clock with prisoners not even allowed showers in that time?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: No. I am aware though—and Serco has stated this quite clearly—that it has increased security checks on visitors and it has increased checks for contraband on prisoners and that is a good thing.