We have already heard from the hon. member for Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, who withdrew his gesture and apologized. That brings to a close discussion of this point of order in this House.
I would like to take this opportunity to point out to honourable members that there is an important rule with respect to votes. This rule requires members to remain quietly in their places during votes in the House. I would like to remind the honourable members of this rule as this creates problems in the House.
From the time the Speaker begins to put the question until the results of the vote are announced, members are not to enter, leave or cross the House, or make any noise or disturbance.
I stress this. It is Standing Order 16(1) and it is cited in House of Commons Procedure and Practice. If hon. members were to comply with this rule in every respect and we had silence during votes, we would not have problems with points of order at the end of votes. For greater clarification I will read Standing Order 16(1):
When the Speaker is putting a question, no Member shall enter, walk out of or across the House, or make any noise or disturbance.
These rules are here. They are part of our Standing Orders. I know that frequently during voting there is a lot of cheering and sometimes yelling, and sometimes conversations, but of course it encourages gestures. We try to avoid these things. We have now had the hon. member render his excuse and that is the end of it.