Mr. Speaker, I do not want to step into the sandbox but I thought I might try. I will be careful not to use traditional metaphors like quiet as a mouse for fear that I might become the object of simulated indignation.
I would like to offer what I hope will be a helpful comment. I watched the exchanges carefully and watched you, Mr. Speaker. While on the one hand we want to maintain that there is an ability on the part of opposition members to ask regional ministers questions about their regions, there is a case to be made that the way in which the questions were being asked today in the House of Commons left open questions as to the appropriateness of the way the questions were being put, for instance, with respect to “senior Liberal ”, et cetera, and asking the Minister of Justice what was her position as opposed to the government's position. There were a number of ways in which the question was being asked that made the questions, technically speaking, inappropriate.
I just want to put on record that I think there are appropriate ways to ask regional ministers questions about their region. Perhaps in your ruling on this, Mr. Speaker, you could advise the House on the proper way to do this so that people who are trying to do this can do it properly the next time.