Rules of Debate / Relevance

Motion for production of papers

Debates pp. 3676-7

Background

During Private Members' Business, the House resumed the debate on a motion by Mr. Orlikow (Winnipeg North), moved on February 10, that the House order the production of "working papers prepared for the Norris Commission". Mr. Byrne (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport) began to describe certain aspects of the union movements, the subject-matter of the Norris Commission. The Deputy Speaker interrupted to point out the rules of debate as they applied to a motion for the production of papers.

Issue

When the House is considering a motion for the production of papers, can it debate the subject-matter of those papers?

Decision

No. The debate must centre solely on the matter of producing the papers.

Reasons given by the Deputy Speaker

Debate on a motion for production of papers is not on "what is behind the documents, or what is their substance, but whether they should be produced or not". Debate is very restricted and Members should keep their remarks within these limits.

Sources cited

Debates, February 8, 1962, p. 682; November 22, 1962, p. 1911.

References

Debates, March 31, 1966, pp. 3674-6.