Mr. Speaker, I would ask the hon. member to withdraw his comment. Otherwise, all we have to do is, as he did, to apologize afterwards without in fact withdrawing our remarks.
Therefore, I would ask him to withdraw his comment concerning the absence of an hon. member. He should withdraw that remark or apologize, since otherwise members on this side of the House will take it that they can do the same for the rest of the day with respect to ministers who might be absent.