Question of Privilege
January 19, 1984
Distributing advance copy of Bill and barring Member's attendance at lock-up
Hon. Lloyd Francis
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
There are many cases where drafts of bills have been circulated and no further action has been taken with regard to them. The Chair cannot be placed in a position of determining whether a draft of a bill, which may or may not be introduced, can be circulated, or to whom it can be circulated. As regards the second point, the Chair recognizes that parties represented in the House may request rooms for functions which have limited access. Under these circumstances, the Speaker cannot undertake to decide who should have access to briefings hosted by the different parties. Since the Hon. Member is under no obligation in fulfilling his duties as a Member of Parliament to attend such an event, it is difficult to see how being denied access is a question of privilege..
Sources cited Debates, November 27, 1978, p. 1518.
References Debates, January 18, 1984, pp. 526-9; January 19, 1984, pp. 558-63.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"The Chair cannot regulate the circulation of draft bills or access to party-hosted briefings, and as attendance at such an event is not a required parliamentary duty, being denied access is not a breach of privilege."
AI Summary
A ruling finding no breach of privilege when a Member is denied access to a private party briefing on a draft bill, as the Speaker cannot police such events.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Neutral
- Procedural Stage
- Not specified
- Significance
Low
High