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

Mr. ROSS (Souris):

It is always difficult
to sit on both sides of the fence.
Hon. IAN A. MACKENZIE (Minister of Veterans Affairs): I wish to rise to a question

of privilege. I have a certain amount, a somewhat humble amount, of responsibility in regard to the activities of this house, and I found it my duty yesterday to vote against His Honour's decision. I am profoundly convinced that my decision was correct. I say that whereas you cannot discuss the proceedings of a committee until the committee has reported back to the house, there is no impairment or impediment to any freely elected member of the parliament of Canada in discussing any matter referred to a committee. The house will recall that earlier this session the hon. member for Souris (Mr. Ross) asked me if any questions referred to the committee on veterans affairs could be discussed in this house, and I immediately consented.