Questions / Adjournment Proceedings

Questions to committee chairmen

Debates p. 13048

Background

On May 7, 1986, Mr. Attewell (Don Valley East) rose on a point of order concerning the Adjournment Debate. During Question Period on May 5, he had asked a question of the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Energy, Mines and Resources. Later he sent a note to the Clerk at the 'fable, stating that he wished to pursue the matter further during the debate on the adjournment motion. The Clerk advised him that this was not permitted in the case of questions to committee chairmen. Mr. Attewell asked whether this might be an omission or a drafting oversight in the rules.

Issue

Can a Member, having asked a question of a committee chairman during Question Period and being unsatisfied with the answer, pursue the matter during the Adjournment Debate?

Decision

No. The subject matter of questions asked of committee chairmen cannot be raised during the Adjournment Proceedings.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The Standing Orders specify only that a Minister of the Crown, or a Parliamentary Secretary speaking on behalf of a Minister, may speak in reply to questions during the Adjournment Proceedings. Committee chairmen are not referred to, and therefore it follows that questions cannot be put to them at that time.

Sources cited

Standing Order 66(3).