Routine Proceedings / Statement by Ministers

Statement by Ministers

Journals pp. 39-40

Debates pp. 269-70

Background

When the House met, Mr. Macquarrie (Hillsborough) raised a question of privilege relating to a document which had been addressed from the Department of Communications to radio station news editors across the country. The document described a policy soon to be implemented which would allow them "to obtain, by simply dialing a telephone number, policy statements of national importance made in the House, at a press conference or in a speech, by the Minister of Communications". Considering the role played by the Minister in establishing broadcasting policy and various other issues involving the relationship of Ministers and Members with the news media, Mr. Macquarrie moved to have the conduct of the Postmaster General and the Minister of Communications as well as the policy document referred to the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections. The Speaker made his decision on the issue immediately, believing that it would "not be in the interest of the House to enlarge the debate".

Issue

Are Ministers obliged to deliver ministerial statements or announcements in the House? Are Members entitled to receive such information before the general public as part of their parliamentary privileges?

Decision

There is no obligation for Ministers to make statements in the House. There may be a question of propriety or a question of courtesy, but there is not a question of privilege.

Reasons given by the Speaker

"Privilege has been defined as the sum of the fundamental rights enjoyed by each House of Parliament collectively and by Members of each House individually, without which they could not discharge their functions ... " No precedent has been found to justify the position that Ministers are bound to make statements in the House or that Members are entitled to receive such information before the public.

Sources cited

Journals, March 31, 1969, pp. 869-73.

May, 17th ed., p. 42.