Please colleagues, I am trying to explain this for all of us. I give as much latitude as I can so that we can get at the facts, whatever they are.
If in my opinion a matter does not refer directly to the bill, if I feel it is in a general enough area, I will permit the question. I caution all hon. members that when we are crafting our questions it is incumbent that, if I might say with all respect, the Chair should be reasonably comfortable that the question is indeed in order. The more your Speaker is pushed to the line, the more likely he is to intervene on the questions.
I appeal to all hon. members in the crafting of the questions to please, if we have a bill being debated on that day, to consider that the questions be general enough in nature, which I judged them to be today, so that the questions can be asked. If you push your Speaker too close to the line, then of course I will intervene, as I have in the past.
All that to say that the points are well taken on this side. The points are well founded. The points made on the other side are equally good in the sense that they give a balance to the Chair as to where we are going. With your continued support I will see to it that the question period is conducted in a civilized manner with respect on both sides and all members are carrying out their responsibilities in the way they should.