July 26, 1946 (20th Parliament, 2nd Session)

Mr. M. J. COLDWELL (Rosetown-Biggar):

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a matter of personal privilege. In the five o'clock edition of the Ottawa Journal of yesterday's date the story appears on the front page, headed: "House Sustains Speaker's Ruling to Bar Questions." Referring to myself the article states:
While he asked for and was refused an explanation of the ruling. CC.F. leader Coldwell headed his followers in voting with the Liberals to uphold the Speaker.
Later in the article, on page 14, again in reference to myself, it states:
Mr. Coldwell, wrho had protested against C.C.F. questions being dropped from the order paper and then restored without explanation, asked for further information.

Privilege-Mr. Coldwell

"Will you please make your ruling clear?" he asked Dr. Fauteux.
"The ruling is quite clear," replied the Speaker.
Denied a fuller explanation, Mr. Graydon appealed.
This obviously is an incorrect and garbled account of what actually took place. I have consulted the official record-and may I interject just here, Mr. Speaker, also perhaps another matter of personal privilege, that it is unfortunate we are not receiving Hansard in time to check it before the house meets. I had to go to the office of Hansard and consult the record there. I think every attempt should be made by the Secretary of State and by the king's printer to improve the service in this house which is required in the circumstances. But I quote from the official record:
Mr. Coldwell: Would Your Honour make the ruling clear? I did not understand your ruling as the hon. member for Peel (Mr. Graydon) seems to interpret it. My understanding is that questions will be permitted on the order paper when the subject matter of these questions is not referred specifically to a committee, 'which makes all the difference in the world.
Mr. Mackenzie: That is right.
Mr. Coldwell: I think that is a ruling which the house should substantiate because I think it is a correct one.
Mr. Speaker: The hon. gentleman is perfectly right, and for the information of the house I shall read the conclusion of my remarks:
"In conclusion, I think it is, generally speaking, a wise rule that provides that while a committee is inquiring into a matter the house will not encroach on its jurisdiction by allowing the same matter to be discussed in the house, but members must not be debarred from seeking information by placing on the order paper questions -which are not debatable and do not give rise to discussions As long as these questions do not deal with the very specific matters referred to, they should be permitted to appear on the order paper."
That is the official report. It is to be regretted that the Ottawa Journal which, for many years, had a reputation for accuracy, should on several occasions of late-