For my part, I see the subcommittee as a committee that is useful for solving problems. Its mandate comes from the standing committee to which it reports. With regard to the presence of the parliamentary secretary, we feel in other committees that this person is a good source of information for the subcommittee on occasion. However, if another government member is already present, the parliamentary secretary loses his right to vote or replaces the other member. He can be present but he doesn't have the right to vote.
On February 3rd, 2009. See this statement in context.