Parliamentary Committees

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (15:19): Supplementary: the minister has indicated that he cannot attend the timber select committee meeting on 17 March or the hearings in the South-East on 1 April and 2 April. Does he anticipate, therefore, that he will attend any of the timber select committee meetings, or does he not consider that a high enough priority?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade and Investment) (15:19): There is a significant clash on 17 March because that is the day that we open the trade office in Houston and I see that as an important role to fulfil as minister. I am not sure what the clash is for 1 and 2 April, but I will consult my diary to see what that is.