Minister cannot knit while in the chair

Ministers cannot knit while presiding over legislation it was ruled today.

Associate Minister of Commerce Judith Tizard was yesterday accused of bringing Parliament into contempt when she insisted on knitting while presiding over legislation under her care.

Ms Tizard was listening to MPs debating her Trade Marks Bill when she took to one of her hobbies -- knitting.

Ministers in the chair are meant to be there to answer questions from MPs and debate in reply.

Last night, it was at first decided there was nothing in standing orders -- the rules of Parliament -- that prevented Ms Tizard from knitting on, but senior Opposition MPs sent down a barrage of points of order.

ACT leader Richard Prebble said that while newspapers and correspondence were allowed in the chamber, computers and other devices were banned.

"Knitting needles are a device," he said.

National leader Bill English said the minister was typifying the "contempt and arrogance" of the Government towards Parliament and the passage of law.

Ms Tizard told MPs that she had knitted in the House before and the speaker had not ruled it out.

Assistant speaker Ross Robertson decided he would take guidance on the issue.

When Parliament resumed under urgency this morning, MPs were told "the ruling is knitting is permitted in the House but is not permitted from the minister's chair".

- NZPA