Privilege / Impeding a Member

Impeding a Member

Journals pp. 522-3

Debates p. 3976

Background

Answers made by Mr. Blais (Solicitor General) during Question Period. February 5, gave rise to a question of privilege from Mr. Lawrence (Northumberland—Durham) who charged that the Solicitor General's response to certain questions would restrict his right to obtain information. After some discussion, the Speaker pointed out that as no motion had been proposed, the Chair could not deal with it. In addition, the Speaker observed that the matter was basically hypothetical in nature. Prior to the beginning of Question Period, February 6, the Speaker allowed two motions on the issue to be presented, one by Mr. Clark (Leader of the Opposition) and the other by Mr. Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre). Afterwards, discussion on the matter took place and was concluded by a summation by the Speaker. On March 9, Mr. Jarvis (Perth—Wilmot) rose on a question of privilege to complain again about replies made by the Solicitor General during the Question Period and to ask for a ruling on the motions of Mr. Clark and Mr. Knowles.

Issue

Can a Minister of the Crown be required to answer questions put to him during the Question Period?

Decision

The Chair cannot under any circumstances compel a Minister to make an answer during any Question Period.

Reasons given by the Speaker

A Minister is not obliged to answer a question. It is futile for the Chair to attempt to determine the validity of the reasons why a Minister in any individual case might refuse to answer a question.

References

Debates, February 3, 1978, pp. 2517-23; February 6, 1978, pp. 2551‑67; March 9, 1978, pp. 3609-18.