I have been asked to reserve on this matter but I will not. I will make a ruling now.
I find that this is not a question of privilege, but I find it extremely regrettable that certain ministerial statements are made outside the House. I, on a few occasions now, and my predecessors have recommended that the government be more respectful of the House. However, perhaps there is a change to be made in the rules of the House because there is nothing in the rules of the House that allow me to enforce such a ruling. As regrettable as some members find these events to be, there is no contempt until and unless the House as a body gives authority to the Speaker to enforce something like this on their behalf.
A case was brought up by the hon. member before. What is involved are the parliamentary precincts. This is a little different from any other thing. Most of the interveners today are members of the Board of Internal Economy. It is my view that this matter should be brought up at the Board of Internal Economy because it deals with the parliamentary precincts. I am sure the hon. member for Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough will have ample opportunity to put his views to this particular board.
Once again, if there is a trend continuing like the one of my sister speaker in the United Kingdom, unless and until there is a specific order of the House this can be done, as you all know, by introduction perhaps through the procedural committee. I make that as a suggestion, but at the very least it should be brought up because it falls within the purview of the authority of the Board of Internal Economy.