Mr. Speaker, I would like to raise a point which was omitted but which is quite important, I think.
According to Marleau and Montpetit at page 433, generally in a case such as this one:
--the Speaker has ruled that the matter is a disagreement among Members over the facts surrounding the issue. As such, these matters are more a question of debate and do not constitute a breach of the rules or of privilege.
It cites rulings of March 4, 1988; February 12, 1992; March 27, 1992; and October 6, 1994.
However this case is different. It is not a case of disagreement. The facts are that the minister told the House he knew on Friday that the Canadian forces were involved in arrests in Afghanistan. The fact is that he has since told the House that he actually knew last Monday.
This is becoming a question of privilege that differs totally from the situation where some members think one way and other members think another. The facts are there.
Mr. Speaker, I think it is your responsibility to look into this and to hand down a ruling on the issue. I join with my colleagues in requesting that this problem be referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs to have it dealt with.
Furthermore, I ask the minister to give the House and the committee all documents pertaining to this matter, so that all the facts can be considered.