4. Question No. 4—ImmigrationHon MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney) to the Minister of ImmigrationQuestion No. 4—Immigration4. Hon MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney) to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions in relation to Karel Sroubek also known as Jan Antolik?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister of Immigration): Yes in the context of the information that was provided to me at the time.Hon Mark Mitchell: Does the Minister agree with the Prime Minister's statement that there has been a mistake in the Karel Sroubek case?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: As the member is aware there is an investigation under way into this matter. It is important that I do not prejudice the investigation or any possible further action. Because of this ongoing work it is not in the public interest for me to answer questions on the matter at this time. I'll be able to provide more information at the appropriate time.Hon Mark Mitchell: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In the question by the deputy leader of our party to the Prime Minister the Prime Minister stood in this House and said that there had been a mistake made. The Minister has not answered or addressed my question.SPEAKER: He very certainly did address the question in a way which is absolutely consistent with the long-term policy of this House.Hon Mark Mitchell: Is the investigation of Immigration New Zealand considering information relating to a break-in at the house of Karel Sroubek's estranged wife?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I refer the member to my previous answer.Hon Mark Mitchell: Is the investigation by Immigration New Zealand considering information relating to a New Zealand family being put into the police witness protection programme as a result of actions by Karel Sroubek?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I refer the member to my previous answer.Hon Mark Mitchell: Is the investigation by Immigration New Zealand considering the facts around Karel Sroubek undertaking business trips back to Europe while on bail?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I refer the member to my previous answer.Hon Mark Mitchell: Is the investigation by Immigration New Zealand considering Karel Sroubek's involvement and contacts within Operation Ark?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I refer the member to my previous answer.Dr Liz Craig: Does he or his office have any record of Mr Mitchell asking to receive a briefing in relation to the Sroubek case?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: No.Hon Mark Mitchell: To the Minister—Hon Gerry Brownlee: Why would you seek a briefing when the Minister can't tell you anything?SPEAKER: Order! The member has started his question.Hon Mark Mitchell: Does he believe Karel Sroubek is in any danger from the Government of the Czech Republic?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I refer the member to my previous answer.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It is of course the right of any Minister not to answer a question because they deem the answer to be inappropriate as far as public interest is concerned but there was a patsy question from the Minister's own party asking him if he had received any requests for a briefing from the Hon Mark Mitchell on this matter. Are we to believe from that and could the Minister perhaps elucidate to the House as to whether he would give Mr Mitchell any more answers than he's been prepared to publicly give to this House today?SPEAKER: Well that's a very satisfactory supplementary question. If the member wants to ask it go ahead.Hon Mark Mitchell: If the Minister were to receive a request from me asking for a briefing in relation to Karel Sroubek's residency would he provide that briefing?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Well I'm interested that the member is asking me that question because he's already claimed that he asked for such a briefing. He has not but if he does ask I'll consider it.Hon Mark Mitchell: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I would just like to clarify for the House that I—SPEAKER: Sorry is this a supplementary?Hon Mark Mitchell: It's addressing—SPEAKER: So it's a point of order?Hon Mark Mitchell: It's a point of order for personal explanation Mr Speaker. There is in fact a request—SPEAKER: No no. You can't seek an explanation. It either a point of order or it's not.Hon Mark Mitchell: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. There is a request from my office to the Minister's office for a briefing—SPEAKER: Order! I think that if the member wants to make a personal explanation he may but he must seek the leave of the House to do it. He doesn't just try and do it in an unparliamentary manner as he did.Hon Mark Mitchell: Could I seek the leave of the House to make a personal explanation?SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none.Hon Mark Mitchell: This morning after a request I wrote a formal letter to the Minister offering to attend a briefing by him and his officials on why he granted residency to Karel Sroubek. That is in the internal parliamentary mail system at the moment.