I wanted to pick up on Mr. Rankin's comment.
My understanding is that Standing Order 108 gives every standing committee subpoena powers. They're rarely exercised, but they're there in the event that they're ever needed. It makes good sense to me that this committee wouldn't typically exercise such powers, but they're there if they're ever needed. There's going to be compliance and co-operation, because everyone knows that in the end they are there. I'm supportive of subpoena powers as a result, in principle, but I just wonder about the language.
Mr. Rankin, the amendment would change section 13 for access to information. I think a more elegant way to keep the crux of clause 13's subclauses on access to information and protected information and inconsistency or conflict would be to have it read—and I'm open to your thoughts—“Despite any other Act of Parliament, but subject to sections 14 and 16, the Committee is entitled to send for persons, papers, and records”—that mirrors Standing Order 108—“and to have access to any information that is under the control”, and on it goes.
In my opinion, that would be a simpler way. It wouldn't change subsequent sections in such a serious way.