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November 9, 1978
The complaint was raised at the earliest opportunity. The letter from the Solicitor General to Mr. Lawrence can be considered a proceeding in Parliament for the purpose of privilege. A contempt...
The Speaker found a prima facie case of contempt, ruling that a minister's letter is a proceeding in Parliament and the sub judice convention does not apply to a Royal Commission.
November 16, 1974
The precedents "tend to establish in the main that statements made outside the House, or documents published elsewhere, ought not to be used for the purpose of questioning statements made in this...
The Speaker rules that disputes over facts or statements made outside Parliament are matters for debate, not questions of privilege.
March 21, 1974
"The Speaker has no other responsibility than determining whether there is a prima facie question of privilege which later on could be submitted to the House in the form of a motion." The present...
The Speaker denies a prima facie question of privilege, ruling the issue is a grievance to be addressed through other parliamentary avenues.
March 22, 1971
"Even if a Member feels very strongly about a matter... he has no right to violate the rules of the House, which command Members not to accuse another Member of the House of deliberately deceiving...
A ruling affirming that accusing another Member of deliberate deception constitutes unparliamentary language and will require a withdrawal or apology.
February 3, 1971
While a supposed contempt of Parliament may be an element of a breach of privilege, it is not by itself a question of privilege. The complaint raised by the Member may be classified as (i) wilful...
The Speaker rules that a complaint of being misled or contempt is not a prima facie question of privilege and must be pursued through other procedural avenues.
June 8, 1970
The intent of the proposed question is to confirm a deliberate deception by a Member or Members. In accordance with previous rulings, however, no Member should have to submit to an investigation...
The Speaker denied a question of privilege concerning deliberate deception because a specific charge is required for an investigation, and a mere dispute over facts is insufficient.