Privilege / Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous; committees; appealing a chairman's decision

Journals pp. 1485-6

Debates p. 13704

Background

Mr. Churchill (Winnipeg South Centre) rose on a question of privilege to challenge a decision by a committee chairman to set a time for the next meeting of the Standing Committee on National Defence. After hearing Members' arguments, the Speaker reminded the House that without a motion there could be no question of privilege, but said he would, instead, consider the matter as a point of order.

Issue

Can a standing committee chairman's decision be appealed to the Speaker?

Decision

No. The Standing Orders are very specific on the question of decisions by chairmen of standing committees: "... questions of order shall be decided by the chairman, subject only to an appeal to the committee".

Reasons given by the Speaker

"Generally speaking... it is irregular to refer to the proceedings or the evidence taken in a committee." It might well be that the procedure followed in the committee was not exactly in accordance with practice, but the remedy must be found in the committee and not in the House.

Sources cited

Standing Order 68-A.

Beauchesne, 4th ed., p. 244, c. 303(3); p. 251, c. 324(1).

References

Debates, March 3, 1967, pp. 13697-704.