WHO SHOULD ANSWER?

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 1, 24 September 1937, Page 3

WHO SHOULD ANSWER?

- I'reaa A»aociat5i>n.)

Question of Housing Policy

PROCEDURE IN HOUSE

(By, Telesraph-

WELLINGTON, Last Night. An interesting point in procedure was raised in the House of Representatives to-day, when Mr A. C. A. Sexton (Ind., Franklin) gave notice to ask if the Government would make provision for the extension of the activities of the Housing Department to country centres. Mr Sexton asked if the question should be addressed to the Hon. J. A. Lee, Under-Secretary for Housing, or to the Minister of Housing, the Hon. W. Nash. Tho Prime Minister contended that, j as the matter was one of Government poiicy, it should be submitted to the Minister. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Nat., Kaij para) said the question was an interesting one, as a precedent had been j • created. by the appointment of an j | Under-Secretary. In other- countries, j jcspecially in Britain^ Under-Secretaries were empowered to reply to questions, i and he thought there might be tremendous advantages in a similar course here. He suggested that a day or two should be allowed in which to secure a definite ruling on the point. ' Mr Savage said it was. quite clear what the Government intended in the matter. The Minister of Finance was J responsible, and the Under-Secretary j was there merely to assist hif. With . regard to the position of Under-Secre taries, certain of them might consult their Ministers, but others again might not, and. the Government might find itself involved in an expenditure of ten* of thousands of pqunds.