Routine Proceedings / Committee Reports

Government response, effects of prorogation

Debates p. 14969

Background

On June 26, 1986, Mr. Gauthier (Ottawa—Vanier) asked the Speaker to advise the House concerning the effects of prorogation on requests made by committees for responses to their reports pursuant to Standing Order 99(2). Specifically, Mr. Gauthier wished to know whether a request for a response is an order of the House which obliges the Government to respond within 120 days in spite of a prorogation, or if such requests expire at the end of a session.

Issue

Do requests for Government responses survive prorogation?

Decision

Yes. Such a request survives a prorogation of the House.

Reasons given by the Speaker

By virtue of the Standing Orders, the House has made a continuing order for the return of requested responses and has further ordered that such an order for return should survive prorogation.

Furthermore, the same reasoning can be applied in respect of responses to petitions, which by practice are tabled in the House.

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Sources cited

Standing Orders 99(2), 106(8), 121. Beauchesne, 5th ed., p. 150, c. 412.

Abraham and Hawtrey's Parliamentary Dictionary, 3rd ed. (London, 1970), p. 186.

References

Debates, June 26, 1986, p. 14870.