Madam Speaker, I undertook a few minutes ago to verify the request made by an hon. member of the official opposition that a document from which the Prime Minister quoted during question period be tabled.
I have carefully reviewed the relevant citation in Beauchesne's and the rule of Beauchesne is quite clear. A public document, in other words a government document, that is quoted must be tabled. The document in question from which the Prime Minister quoted is not a public document. In fact, it is an internal document, not a government document.
If hon. members are interested, I can certainly indicate to them the sources from which the material came. One is known as A Fresh Start for Canadians , at page 8. I believe that document comes from the Reform Party. Another is entitled The Taxpayers' Budget , of February 21, 1995, at page 43. I am sure that is a Reform Party document, if people are interested. The third document about reducing the budget of the Department of National Defence, referred to in the zero in three budget proposal, comes from a document which was apparently published November 24, 1994 and the relevant section is found at page 6.
I think that will assist hon. members in finding the information about the proposed cuts to the Department of National Defence that the Reform Party wanted to inflict upon that particular government department.