Mr. Speaker, this matter came up a couple of days ago and we responded to the allegation at that time. The question was very broadly based. It did not deal specifically with the legislation. Today it was obvious that the leader of the Reform Party was addressing his question to the minister responsible for the Treasury Board in relation to how he justified this on the one hand versus what he was doing with the civil service and general belt tightening on the other hand.
Therefore, it was a very broadly based question purposely crafted so it would not be in conflict with the standing orders. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to rule in that respect.