2004 Legislative Session: 5th Session, 37th Parliament
The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
Nos. 38 and 39
OF THE
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Ten o'clock a.m.
Prayers by Mr. Anderson.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Order for Committee of Supply called.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section A of Committee of Supply.
Bill (No. 21) intituled Supply Act (No. 1), 2004 was committed, reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed.
Bill (No. 23) intituled Ministerial Accountability Bases, 2003-2004, Amendment Act, 2004 was committed, reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed.
Bill (No. 11) intituled Financial Administration Amendment Act, 2004 was committed, reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed.
Bill (No. 5) intituled Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2004 was committed, reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed.
Bill (No. 7) intituled Social Services Tax Amendment Act, 2004 was committed, reported complete with amendment, and by leave, read a third time and passed.
Bill (No. 8) intituled Ports Property Tax Act was committed, reported complete with amendment, and by leave, read a third time and passed.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply.
(In Committee -- Section B)
Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
(In Committee -- Section A)
Section A of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Skills Development and Labour.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
And then the House adjourned at 11.57 a.m.
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Two o'clock p.m.
Order called for "Members' Statements."
The Speaker made the following statement:
Honourable Members:
There seems to be some uncertainty in the House relating to permissible areas of questioning during Question Period.
Let me firstly say that we have been drifting away from the original intent of Standing Order 47a, to which I refer all Members. Broadly speaking, oral questions may be asked of Ministers of the Crown relating to their responsibilities within their respective ministries. Matters relating to caucus activity are well outside the administrative responsibility of any Ministers of the Crown. In any event, once the Minister of Finance has made it clear (which he has) that there are no financial implications arising from the caucus activities referred to, that ends the matter.
In the decision which the Deputy Speaker read on my behalf on Wednesday, March 10th in this House, the matter was fully canvassed. In the result, bearing in mind the Minister of Finance's assurance that there were no financial implications, the foundation for the questions posed by the Opposition and Independent Members relating to caucus matters, has been removed.
There is another ground upon which yesterday's line of questioning offends basic parliamentary rules. That is that a Member's character and personal conduct cannot be debated or challenged save upon a substantive motion which must be brought before the House in the normal way with notice. In this regard, I refer Honourable Members to Erskine May's Parliamentary Practice, 20th edition, pages 338 and 378.
One of the difficulties the Chair encounters is that until the question is heard, it is difficult to judge its propriety, but should a question or remarks in debate canvass the personal conduct or character of individual Members of this House, the Chair will take immediate action against the offending Member.
I would also advise Members that when a question is ruled out of order, supplementaries will not be permitted.
Members on both sides have offended. I would ask all Members of the House to restrain their enthusiasm and conform to the rules of this House which are binding on all Members, so that Members and the general public who are watching the proceedings will be able to hear both questions and answers during Question Period.
CLAUDE RICHMOND , Speaker
Order called for "Oral Questions by Members."
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Order for Committee of Supply called.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section A and Section B of Committee of Supply.
(In Committee -- Section B)
Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
(In Committee -- Section A)
33. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $18,812,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Skills Development and Labour, Ministry Operations, to 31st March, 2005.
Section A of Committee of Supply reported the Resolution and completion of the estimates of the Ministry of Skills Development and Labour.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
By agreement, summary debate of estimates passed in Section A (Ministry of Skills Development and Labour) to be considered at the next sitting.
And then the House adjourned at 6 p.m.
CLAUDE RICHMOND, Speaker
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WRITTEN QUESTIONS
Monday, March 29
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