Madam Chairman, I do not disagree in principle with what the member is saying. However, as the member knows, the amount of money for that is not determined by the government, but by the Board of Internal Economy, and all the political parties represented on it.
Improvements have been made; our clerk and his predecessor addressed this issue. The staff was increased, budget estimates were made, and increases were granted.
The member is also aware of what happened. Following an unexpected increase in the number of amendments that could be presented at report stage, it was taking legislative counsels a lot of time to draft them, sort them and so on.
With the rules having been restored—because these are not new rules—there may be more resources available.
I do not know if they were affected by that. In any case, the issue will be raised with the Board of Internal Economy. If they were not affected, we will check to see if the delays are still unacceptable. In any case, the Board of Internal Economy sits every two weeks or almost every two weeks and goes over these kinds of issues when they arise.
Unfortunately, I now have to conclude on this issue. If the member is asking me if delays of several weeks and even months are normal, I would say no, this is not reasonable. A member should have the right to speak, which means, of course, the right to introduce a bill.
This brings us to a whole new debate. Will a private member's bill have to be as precise as a government bill? Can it be amended in committee? This is a whole new debate.
If these bills are to be considered much more seriously by the House and always be designated as votable items, then they will have to be as well drafted as government bills. If they are rarely designated as votable items, then will it be necessary? Maybe not.
Finally, members can always, of course, raise issues through motions. It does not take a legal adviser to do so. I have drafted enough motions to know that. Issues can be raised simply through motions.
Again, I want to thank the chair and my hon. colleagues. I will now let the hon. member for Durham have the floor.