2. Defence Force—Afghan Civilian Deaths Allegations in Hit & RunMETIRIA TUREI (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime MinisterDefence Force—Afghan Civilian Deaths Allegations in Hit & Run2. METIRIA TUREI (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime Minister: Tu ai a ia i runga i te mana o ngā whakataunga katoa o tāna Kāwanatanga?[Does he stand by all of his Government's decisions?]Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH (Prime Minister): Yes.Metiria Turei: Does he stand by his Government's refusal to commit to an inquiry into the allegations contained in the Hit & Run book including the allegation of the killing of children in Afghanistan by New Zealand forces; if so why?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: At this stage we have not seen sufficient evidence that has been substantiated from a book published less than 24 hours ago in circumstances that you would have to describe as at least partially politically motivated to warrant an inquiry. However I have sought briefings from officials and will seek more such briefings.Metiria Turei: Even if the Prime Minister does think that this book is politically motivated does he not agree that the allegations are serious enough to warrant a full investigation to maintain the reputation and integrity of the New Zealand Defence Force?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: I think that although the allegations are certainly of a serious nature that simply means that the requirement for substantiation is all the greater and I note that even the authors are somewhat conditional about the way in which they make a whole range of allegations.Metiria Turei: Is the Prime Minister concerned about the potential that the conduct of the New Zealand Defence Force in Afghanistan could be investigated by the International Criminal Court?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: No and I must say that we are proud of our defence forces and their service overseas which includes the loss of 10 lives in Afghanistan. In the interests of New Zealand playing its part in securing international order there is no suggestion in the book—there is certainly no suggestion in the briefings that I have seen or the inquiries that have already been covered—that New Zealand defence personnel have done anything other than observe the rules of engagement in a professional manner.Metiria Turei: Is the Prime Minister not taking seriously the possibility that the International Criminal Court could investigate the New Zealand Defence Force for the alleged killing of civilians including children in Afghanistan and a possible Government cover-up?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: Who knows whether that is technically possible or not. Our concern in the first instance is to ensure that New Zealand defence personnel have acted and behaved to the standards that we would expect of them. I can only repeat that the book very recently published does not yet appear to have substantiated enough or any of the allegations to warrant an inquiry. However we will continue to get briefings.Metiria Turei: Does the Prime Minister not agree that the allegations in the book of the killing of civilians including children by the New Zealand Defence Force the Special Air Service must be taken seriously enough to warrant an inquiry into those allegations if only to disprove them?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: Well we are simply not going to be rushed into such a serious undertaking. I think the member should just review the standards that she is applying. We would certainly not conduct an inquiry simply on the basis of disproving unsubstantiated allegations.