Point of Order
February 3, 1969
Tabling of documents
Hon. Lucien Lamoureux
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
''According to the Standing Orders, a question put during the daily Oral Questions may be answered either by an oral answer, by an order for return or by a ministerial statement on motions." The Standing Order on tabling of documents "does not provide for the establishment of a new procedure for answering oral questions". The objection raised against the action taken by the Secretary of State is, therefore, justified. With respect to the procedural point raised in connection with the Minister of Finance, the situation is quite different. The object of the new rule under which the Minister acted is to enlarge the class of papers that can be tabled by the Government without notice and without leave. "The Chair is bound by the clear words of the rule to the effect that a Minister may table any report or other paper dealing with a matter coming within the administrative responsibilities of the Government." In this case, the Minister acted within the terms of the rule; the objection is not sustained.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"An objection to a Secretary of State tabling a document as a new form of answer to an Oral Question was sustained, while an objection to the Minister of Finance tabling a document under the general rule for government papers was denied."
AI Summary
The Speaker ruled that tabling a document is not a valid new procedure for answering an Oral Question, but a minister may table a document under the separate rule for government papers.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Other
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Oral Questions
- Significance
Low
High