Adjournment Motion / Proposed under Standing Order 26 - Application not Accepted

Not within administrative responsibility of the Government

Debates p. 14269

Background

Mr. Clark (Leader of the Opposition) sought leave to move the adjournment of the House, under the provisions of Standing Order 26, in order to discuss the imposition of martial law in Poland and the important questions which this situation raised, in his view, for Canada's foreign policy. The Speaker ruled immediately.

Issue

Does the application meet the requirements of Standing Order 26?

Decision

No. The application is not accepted.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The House has already dealt with this subject, and it is not entirely clear to what extent "the matter concerns the administrative responsibility of the Government or could come within the scope of ministerial action". Furthermore, there will be future opportunities for debate on this highly important subject, in particular, an allotted day scheduled for tomorrow.

Sources cited

Debates, December 17, 1981, pp. 14151-2; December 18, 1981, pp. 14203-4.