My recollection of the events on Wednesday was a little different from what is alleged. I of course have no idea of what transpired in terms of the correspondence between the hon. member for New Brunswick Southwest and the minister except what I have heard here today. I was totally unaware of any exchange and of course I am totally unaware of what document, if any, the member for Bras d'Or--Cape Breton had in his possession when he asked his question last Wednesday.
I do remember the look of shock on his face when I called on the hon. member to ask a question. He was on the list that I had. I was following the list and he seemed genuinely surprised that he was to ask a question on that occasion. I do recall there was a lot of heckling and the question ended in disorder, so the blues that the hon. member for Edmonton North has so ably quoted are exactly as printed in Hansard .
It was apparently what was said because there was so much yelling and heckling from particularly, if I may say so, the members seated immediately beside the hon. member for Bras d'Or--Cape Breton, that it was very difficult to hear what he was saying and he sat down in a somewhat embarrassed state because he obviously was not prepared to ask a question on that occasion.
We all recall the next day that he got a large applause from the House when he stood up to ask a question because he was obviously prepared on that occasion.
I have to say that having heard the arguments today I do not see how I can find there has been a question of privilege raised by the hon. member for New Brunswick Southwest, or a point of order. I would hope that if he has given notice of his question to a minister, naturally that notice would be kept confidential.
Given the nature of the problem that he raised, I have no doubt that many members would do best to have an answer to such a question. It is no surprise to the Chair that someone else may have raised the same question in the House during oral question period.
For now, I cannot find grounds for a point of order. Perhaps we could continue with the business of the House for today.