Ruling
October 25, 1968
Matter already being studied in special committee
Hon. Lucien Lamoureux
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
"... as a matter of special importance and immediate urgency the whole of the Nigeria and Biafra situation has been referred by this House to a special committee." Normally, the Chair would not refuse an adjournment debate simply because the subject-matter was before a committee. In this case, however, the House has agreed to a special order to have this question considered by a special committee. One of the prime purposes of a debate under Standing Order 26 is to permit Members to seek reports or to advocate specific action on the part of the Government. This has been accomplished today through the comments of Members and "perhaps not very much would be gained by having Members repeat the representations they have already made".
Edit Metadata
Holding
"An emergency debate will not be granted on a subject that the House has already referred to a special committee by special order, especially when the purpose of the debate has already been accomplished."
AI Summary
The Speaker denied a request for an emergency debate on the Nigeria/Biafra situation because the matter was already being studied by a special committee.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Request for Emergency Debate
- Significance
Low
High