Adjournment Motion Proposed Under Standing Order 26 / Application Not Accepted

Matter already being studied in special committee

Debates pp. 2030-1

Background

Mr. Brewin (Greenwood) sought leave to move the adjournment of the House, under the provisions of Standing Order 26, in order to discuss the "urgent need of making Canadian Hercules aircraft immediately available to the churches and other relief organizations now engaged in flying supplies from Sao Tome to Biafra... [for] the starving children in that area". Following arguments and comments presented by Mr. Brewin and other Members, the Speaker ruled.

Issue

Does the application meet the requirements of Standing Order 26?

Decision

No. The application is not accepted.

Reasons given by the Speaker

"... as a matter of special importance and immediate urgency the whole of the Nigeria and Biafra situation has been referred by this House to a special committee." Normally, the Chair would not refuse an adjournment debate simply because the subject-matter was before a committee. In this case, however, the House has agreed to a special order to have this question considered by a special committee. One of the prime purposes of a debate under Standing Order 26 is to permit Members to seek reports or to advocate specific action on the part of the Government. This has been accomplished today through the comments of Members and "perhaps not very much would be gained by having Members repeat the representations they have already made".

Sources cited

Beauchesne, 4th ed., pp. 89-90, c. 100(2), (3).

References

Debates, October 25, 1968, pp. 2023-30.