Legislation sets down that the Commission is charged with the duty of executing the provisions of the Earthquake and War Damage Act and to exercise such other functions as are conferred upon it by the Act and any Regulations. The Commission is given no other powers. It is merely charged with the administration of the E Q W D legislation and cannot do things or approve things not authorised by legislation. The Commission is primarily concerned with policy matters. Administrative matters are my responsibility and I answer directly to the Minister in Charge of the Commission who is the Hon Roger Douglas with assistance from the Hon Peter Neilson. Although the Commission operates solely from headquarters based in Wellington, over recent years it has adopted a policy whereby it has set up office on site wherever a disaster has occurred. This is in order that the public could both lodge a claim and discuss any matters directly with Commission staff.