GOVERNMENT STATIONERY CONTRACT

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Finance, following the minister's answer to the previous question. Did no-one in cabinet think of asking crown law whether the government had the power to offer an exemption prior to referring the contract to the Small Business Commissioner?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Point of order: the question is about the deliberations of cabinet and should be ruled out of order.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Last time I checked, deliberations in cabinet happen in cabinet.

The SPEAKER: We shall read the question down to: did the government take legal advice? Minister for Finance.

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Finance, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:55): What occurred within cabinet will not be divulged, but the course of action taken by the government is in accordance with the legislation that established the Small Business Commissioner, so the process we have run through in respect to this matter is in full accordance with what was set out in the legislation that established the position of commissioner.