Cosgrove Clayton: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Cosgrove Clayton: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:670;Page:16967] 
3. 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Labour—Waimakariri) 
 to the  
Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery 
: Is he satisfied with the level of support being offered to the people of Christchurch in the wake of the earthquake on 22 February 2011? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery) 
on behalf of the  
Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery 
: The answer to the member’s question is generally yes but there is always room for improvement. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: When will the people of Christchurch and especially of Christchurch East have reasonable access to temporary toilet facilities? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: The Minister has been advised that as of today a number of Portaloos and chemical toilets are being moved into the area. More are on order and more are coming from overseas. If the member or any other Christchurch member has a specific case where there is a very very serious shortage I understand all of them have been provided with a direct phone line to the national controller. We would really appreciate a call. I give an assurance that when we have some stocks we will get them to the places that are most in need. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: What thought has been given to mobilising army shower facilities in the worst-hit parts of Christchurch to complement the Englefield mobile shower unit being supplied by the private sector as recommended to him last week? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: I think it is fair to say every one of the suggestions that have been put to us or put to the people who will make the decisions about what facilities are utilised is given serious consideration. The suggestions are prioritised and then they are acted upon. As I said before as we speak a number of facilities are pouring into those areas where I think there has been a shortage of facilities up until now. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: Has the Minister explored the feasibility of utilising mobile army catering facilities in areas where power and water are yet to be restored and hot food is extremely limited as recommended to him last week? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: I have not personally explored that but I do know that those options have all been considered carefully. Where there is merit to them and where they will not interfere with other decisions that are being taken they are being moved on straight away. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: What consideration has been given to the provision of transportation for those who are unable to access welfare facilities through lack of transportation themselves as was recommended last week? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: Again I understand that free buses have been provided for moving people around and helping them to get to and from shops welfare centres and so on. Again if any of the members from Christchurch know of specific cases where that is not being of assistance to people or where people cannot make use of it I say please let us know and we will try to provide individually tailored responses. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: What measures have been put in place to ensure that business owners have the opportunity to salvage stock and records so as to restart their businesses as soon as possible? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: That is a very very high priority for us. As we start to lift the cordons and move further and further into the area of the central business district every business owner is being given the opportunity as quickly as can feasibly be done to access all of their equipment and their records so that they can then resume normal business located in other locations. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: What functions does the Government intend to take away from the Christchurch City Council as the rebuild of the city commences? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: I have no knowledge of any functions yet planned to be taken away from the Christchurch City Council. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: What assurances has he sought and received from the Minister of Education to address concerns from schools that their funding might be affected if their rolls fluctuate as a result of taking on students from earthquake-damaged schools and what assurances has he sought and received from the same Minister that schools will not be adversely affected by taking on students from earthquake-damaged schools despite the funding announcement today? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: I received a briefing from the Minister of Education just this morning in which she indicated that all schools around the rest of New Zealand that are taking those children will be funded accordingly that they will not be impacted by what their enrolment zone might or might not have excluded and that the schools in Christchurch that those kids have come from and that are not functioning will still retain their funding as well.