Procedure and House Affairs committee  These cases are all relatively recent, and so it's hard to say if this is a trend or if these are just coincidental requests that have come in. We have no way of knowing.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, it could be done by way of a motion, debated and decided.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Correct.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Perhaps an example would help. In 2009, this committee submitted a report to the House, following hearings. The clerk and the law clerk actually appeared at that time. The topic was copyright related to the use of House of Commons debates. As you know, on the last page is a statement regarding the Speaker's permission.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It is difficult to describe a truly hypothetical situation, but I can tell you that, even today, certain requests that are submitted to a department or an institution have to do with documents that are already accessible. There are actually situations where people who don't know which information is available on the Web or on the website of the House of Commons make a request to a department or an institution regarding committee proceedings on a given topic.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The case in question has to do with a request that came from the Office of the Auditor General to a number of committees. I'll quote the request and then I'll ask Richard to describe the particulars. The request was for all emails pertaining to the Auditor General appearing in front of a parliamentary committee from 17 January 2012 to 17 April 2012.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No. This is a third party request. The Auditor General received a request under the Access to Information Act to release this information that involved the House. In those circumstances the House, in this case these committees, are the target. They are a party to it.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We're not normally advised of where it comes from.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, it was not.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  On behalf of the Clerk of the House, Audrey O'Brien, who is unable to be here, I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to appear today regarding parliamentary privilege and access to information requests made to other parties. I am accompanied by Richard Denis, Deputy Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I will.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I do have a statement to make, which I think has been distributed.