Colleagues, I am going to take all of the debate under advisement. I want the House to recognize and realize that in the case of a convention, it is under the discretion of course of the Chair to make whatever appropriate decision there is.
I would like to point out to all hon. members that the case of a convention is like an agreement, a tradition that we go by in this House of Commons.
Whenever a case has been before the courts, there has been no question there cannot be reference to that case in the House of Commons.
Most of the time this is left in the hands of the members, in their good judgment. In the case of a member asking a question he or she should take into consideration whether there is any infringement on this convention in any way.
On the other hand, when a responder is put in that position, he or she also must weigh this. Basically it comes down to members themselves.
With regard to this case, two cases have been put forth. I will look at all the interventions put forth. I am sure the House will give me the time to review precisely what was said in the original statements.
If there is need to come back, I will but I would like some time to review the whole matter again and perhaps give a little more direction to the House as to what direction we should be going in the case of a convention of the House.
If members would leave this with me, I will get back to the House at the earliest time if necessary.