Rules of Debate / Miscellaneous

Galleries; departmental officials

Journals p. 1251

Debates p. 12513

Background

On January 31, Mr. Churchill (Winnipeg South Centre) rose on a point of order to question the propriety of the use of the first row behind the Press Gallery by certain departmental officials for the performance of their duties. The Speaker investigated the matter and ruled the following day.

Issue

Should departmental officials be allowed to use the first row behind the Press Gallery?

Decision

No. "When space is available in the recognized Official Gallery, the departmental officials should use it rather than other galleries for the exercise of their official responsibilities."

Reasons given by the Speaker

Despite uncertainty as to whether the first row behind the Press Gallery is an extension of that gallery, the Official Gallery or the Public Gallery, departmental officials should use the Official Gallery when space is available there.

References

Debates, January 31, 1967, pp. 12465-6.