Mr. Speaker, I have just a short response. First, I thank the hon. member for his quick return with an answer to this very important question. I appreciate the time he has taken today to bring the government's response timetable to the attention of the House.
I wish to remind you, Mr. Speaker, that the previous Speaker's ruling on a matter like this did indicate that it was disheartening when a government missed a deadline.
The government committee that had studied this issue previously said: "If a document cannot be tabled within the prescribed time, the responsible minister should advise the House accordingly before the deadline. It is not acceptable that a deadline is ignored".
It should be very clear in the House that when the rules of the House are put in place to aid and assist members of Parliament in doing their jobs, the government has a responsibility to uphold those rules. I believe very strongly that something has to be said to the government and the minister responsible in this regard.
The deadline was missed. The government had an obligation to come to the House prior to the deadline being missed. It is unacceptable for them to have missed this deadline.