Colleagues, I have the "blues" as well. I think the chief whip to the government has accurately stated what the "blues" say.
The difficulty is that the gentleman or lady who sits at the table may hear things that the Chair does not. As you all know, colleagues, the Chair is a long way from where members sit. I think frequently the gentlemen taking the notes may have heard somebody say no. I did not hear anybody say no.
I hasten to say that I heard no the first time. But as my colleague indicated, the member who said no got up and left the Chamber between the first and second question.
With respect to the point that the hon. member for Calgary West said he heard the member for St. John's West whisper or say no, I did not hear the hon. member for St. John's West or any member say no at the time the second question was asked.
Accordingly, I would remind hon. colleagues, this is what I heard and the Chair has to listen with his or her own ears. In future if members wish to say no, they should make it very clear as I have already indicated to one member. Do not whisper and hope it will not be heard. If members wish to say no, they should get up and bellow it. If the Speaker is hard of hearing, then they should make sure that he or she hears the no, loudly and clearly.
The hon. member for Calgary West has the floor for another two minutes.