I am not sure we would deal with this matter under a question of privilege. I want to consult to see if I can get some kind of an explanation.
My colleagues, with regard to the information being available, I am told that most of it is on the website right now and we are in the process of finishing up the information. It should be in the hon. member's hands soon.
In direct response to the point of order, I am quoting Speaker Francis who was quoting Speaker Macnaughton. This is what Speaker Macnaughton had to say on March 17, 1965 as reported on page 12479 of Hansard :
The basic question is whether or not a bill in the House of Commons can be discussed, assuming that the evidence has not been completely finished in its English and French printing. I have made a search of the records since Confederation, and there is no case that says that a bill in the House of Commons which is up for discussion cannot be proceeded with until the evidence has been filed. If we were to accept the suggestion of the hon. member for Lapointe (Mr. Grégoire), emotionally pleasing as it may be, nevertheless procedurally in my opinion it would be completely wrong, and would establish a very bad precedent.
Again Mr. Speaker Francis stated and I quote from page 4631 of Hansard dated June 13, 1984:
I really do feel uncomfortable when hon. members do not have the transcripts. However, I am guided by the precedent of Mr. Speaker Macnaughton. I am guided by the fact that the rules are silent as to the form of printing.
I inform the hon. member officially that most of it is on the website now. The rest of it I am sure will be there very soon, before we get into the body of the debate on this.