Ruling
October 22, 1975
Premature disclosure of committee proceedings
Hon. James Jerome
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
Although "the House guards the confidentiality of draft reports at this stage of a committee's proceedings and the publication of such a report would raise the strongest suggestion that some act has taken place which offends the privileges of the House", the motion does not contain "any allegation of misconduct which is specifically complained of in terms of a breach of the privileges of the House". The motion does not attribute misconduct to any specific person or group of people.
The motion only suggests an investigation to determine whether a prima facie question of privilege exists, or whether a substantive motion would be in order.
If allowed, the motion would lead to one committee of the House investigating the work or the operations of a joint committee, which is irregular.
The House is not without a remedy if the motion is refused. A substantive motion for an investigation could be put forward. Another possible course would be an investigation, with the proper terms of reference, by the joint committee, followed by a report to both Houses.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"A motion for one committee to investigate the operations of a joint committee is procedurally irregular and out of order, especially when it does not allege specific misconduct by a specific person or group."
AI Summary
The Speaker denied a motion for one committee to investigate a joint committee's leaked report, ruling it procedurally irregular and lacking a specific allegation of misconduct.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Not specified
- Significance
Low
High