Ruling
December 14, 1984
Recommendation to instruct another committee
Hon. John Bosley
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
A committee may only consider those matters which have been referred to it by the House, and must report to the House in order to seek a broadening of its order of reference. It is certain that the Finance Committee was not empowered to consider the question of broadcasting proceedings, which is not re levant to the Annual Report of the Economic Council. One committee cannot direct another, even indirectly, since each can do only what the Ho use instructs it to do: they have no relation one to another..
Sources cited Standing Order 69.
Debates, June 29, 1983, p. 26943; June 13, 1984, p. 4624.
Beauchesne, 5th ed., pp. 197-8, c. 620-1.
Bourinot, 4th ed., p. 469.
May, 20th ed., p. 644. 44 References Debates, December 13, 1984, p. 1203.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"Committees are creatures of the House and are strictly bound by their orders of reference; they cannot consider extraneous matters or direct other committees."
AI Summary
A ruling confirming that parliamentary committees are strictly bound by their orders of reference from the House and cannot self-task or direct other committees.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Sustained
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Routine Proceedings
- Significance
Low
High