Questions / Oral Questions

Parliamentary Secretaries

Debates pp. 4388-9

Background

When, during Oral Questions, Mr. Pelletier (Sherbrooke) sought to direct a question to the Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Regional Economic Expansion in the latter's absence, Mr. MacInnis (Cape Breton-East Richmond) rose on a point of order. He claimed that a Member could not direct questions to anyone other than a Minister or acting Minister of the Crown. Following several exchanges with Mr. MacInnis, the Speaker made his ruling.

Issue

Can a Parliamentary Secretary answer questions in the absence of a Minister?

Decision

Yes. Parliamentary Secretaries are allowed to answer questions in the absence of Ministers.

Reasons given by the Speaker

"... the rules... do not prohibit a Parliamentary Secretary from asking a question or from replying to one. . . [W]e have had the practice for some years in both instances ... [T]he Standing Orders are interpreted according to the practice of the House, and there has obviously been a practice established in this respect."