Questions / Oral Questions

Committees

Debates pp. 7126-7

Background

During Oral Questions, Mr. Nowlan (Annapolis Valley) had attempted unsuccessfully to ask a supplementary question to Mr. Gillespie (Etobicoke) in his capacity as Vice-Chairman of the Finance, Trade and Economic Committee to inquire if he had communicated his proposal to the Minister of Finance. At the end of Oral Questions, after the Speaker had called for Orders of the Day, Mr. Nowlan rose on a point of order to direct the same question to Mr. Gillespie for a second time. The Speaker ruled immediately on the acceptability of such a procedure.

Issue

Can a question be directed to a committee chairman that does not relate directly to the procedures or schedule of that committee?

Decision

No. The possible questions that can be put to a committee chairman are of a very limited scope.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The nature of the question is out of order. Only questions relating to procedural matters (if and when a committee will be convened or will meet) may be directed to committee chairmen. Questions concerning whether the chairman has conveyed information to the Government are out of order.

References

Debates, May 20, 1970, p. 7121.